Big Rigs 13 October 2023

FRIDAY, October 13, 2023

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Truckies hit hard at bowser Pages 4-5

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FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

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CONTRIBUTORS

Truckin in the Topics/Spy on the Road: Alf Wilson, 0408 009 301

Company fined $40k after truckie’s leg crushed at port

A SHIPPING, transport and logistics company has been fined $40,000 after a worker on a pedestrian walkway was struck by a forklift at its Port Melbourne warehouse.

Searoad Logistics Pty Ltd was fined without conviction, and ordered to pay an additional $9870 in costs in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.

The company pleaded guilty to one charge under the Occupational Health and Safety Act for failing, so far as reasonably practicable, to ensure the workplace was safe and without risks to health.

The court heard that in May 2020, seconds after a

forklift drove out through an open roller door, a truck driver walked into the warehouse via the same door. As he continued along the marked walkway, the forklift reversed back into the warehouse, hitting him and crushing his left leg.

A WorkSafe investigation found it was reasonably practicable for the company to reduce the risk to health and safety by having a traffic management plan in place, and ensuring truck drivers were inducted into the workplace and advised of the plan.

It was also reasonably practicable to use physical barriers to stop people using the pedes-

trian walkways walking into areas where forklifts were operating, and mirrors to improve forklift drivers’ visibility.

WorkSafe executive director health and safety Narelle Beer called on employers to proactively ensure their workplaces are safe and that employees and visitors are properly inducted.

“We know that forklifts can be dangerous and there is simply no excuse for employers not doing everything possible to ensure that they operate in a way that is safe for everyone on the site,” Beer said.

“That means ensuring that traffic management plans

are in place and up to date, and that anyone entering the workplace is properly inducted on safety – as well as practical things such as installing

barriers to separate pedestrians from moving plant.”

Searoad Logistics was contacted but did not wish to comment.

The truck involved in the death of Darren Twine had a nonoriginal, reflective foil visor.

THE tragic death of WA truckie Darren Twine in 2020 has highlighted the dangers of using modified sun visors in truck cabs, a coronial inquest into the incident has found.

The 52-year-old died after he was struck by a work colleague’s prime mover as it pulled out of a Port Hedland roadhouse parking area on the evening of July 8, 2020.

The inquest found the driver’s vehicle was fitted with a non-original reflective visor

to the base of the windscreen which extended the already existing blind spot to more than a metre.

The 25-year-old driver had not realised Twine was in front of his truck and — in a “traumatised state” — had continued down Great Northern Highway before pulling into an assembly area, calling his mother and returning to the scene.

“It is my fervent hope that the dangerous practice

of heavy vehicle operators using modified foil window shades at the bottom of their windscreens (particularly in cabover vehicles) will cease,” concluded Coroner Philip Urqhart.

“Given the efforts by WorkSafe to alert these operators to this dangerous practice, I have not felt it necessary to make any recommendation with respect to this matter.

I also note that the evidence before me was that Norwest

Crane Hire had prohibited its drivers from engaging in this practice shortly after Mr Twine’s death.

Cattle truck driver Cliff Graham told ABC News that he was relieved people in the industry could continue using the visors, as there were few alternatives on offer.

“To say you don’t need them at all is pretty narrow-minded because of the harsh sun in Australia, especially in the outback,” he said.

Searoad did not wish to comment about the 2020 incident.

Inquest highlights dangers of sun visors in cabs

David Vile, David Meredith and Graham Harsant.

Big Rigs National Road Transport Newspaper is published by Prime Creative Media. It is the largest circulated fortnightly truck publication in Australia with 22,500* copies per fortnight. *12 month average, publisher’s claim October 2022

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Wider trucks welcome but trailers are another story

ALTHOUGH the recent announcement that new truck cabs can now be 50mm wider is universally welcomed by industry, two of the major peak bodies disagree on whether trailers should follow suit.

Australian Trucking Association (ATA) believes there is a “compelling” case to move the allowable width up to the 2.6m US standard.

The ATA believes the move would make the market even more competitive and deliver more safety and productivity gains.

“As the next step, the government should increase the width of trailers to 2.55m, and allow trucks and trailers with flat sides, like refrigerated trucks, to be 2.6m wide,” said ATA chair David Smith.

“A 2.55m truck with curtain-side devices has a 2.6m envelope. Allowing 2.6m flat-sided trucks and trailers would reduce the energy needed to refrigerate freight, because the side insulation could be 90mm rather than 40mm thick.”

Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA), however, disagrees and is happy with the status quo.

HVIA CEO Todd Hacking says keeping trailers widths where they are is a key part of HVIA’s policy, intended to protect Australia’s local trailer manufacturing industry from bearing unnecessary re-tooling costs.

“To see that the announcement is perfectly aligned with HVIA’s policy, as guided by members, is a testament to how effective advocacy can be when it is backed by a solid safety and economic case,” Hacking said.

Greg Forbes, HVIA’s national manager of policy and government regulations, added that the current trailer width limits also don’t impose the same restrictions imposed on 2.5m cab widths, such as access to safety and environment technologies.

“The limit of 2.5m for trucks restricts model availability, limits access to safety and environment technologies, and adds unnecessary costs,” he added.

Federal Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Carol Brown made the landmark cab width announcement, which forms part of the

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The change applies to all new trucks that are fitted with a number of safety features.

These include devices to reduce blind spots, electronic stability control, advanced emergency braking, a lane departure warning system, better reflective markings, and side guards to stop pedestrians and cyclists from being caught up under the rear wheels of trucks.

Additionally, several safety devices and sensors will be able to be fitted to trucks without counting towards width and

length measurements. These include front and kerb view mirrors, external parts of camera monitor systems, blind spot sensors, and cross-view mirrors.

The government estimates the changes will provide a net benefit of more than $500 million to the Australian economy by reducing the number of road freight trips businesses will need to take, saving them money and lowering their environmental impact.

“This Safer Freight Vehicles package responds to direct calls from industry to increase the width limit of trucks, and follows extensive public consultation and feedback,” said

camera systems.

“Heavy vehicle operators have shown they are proactive in taking up safety features, but sometimes regulations have stood in their way,” Petroccitto added.

“The changes remove these barriers and support improving road safety and will help ensure manufacturers and owners are not disadvantaged by fitting trucks with these road safety technologies.”

The Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) also welcomed the cab width change which it said would encourage the uptake of electric trucks because most overseas-built models were too wide under Australia’s existing rules.

But it also said the government must introduce a mass concession (one-tonne minimum) for electric trucks, making it cheaper and attractive for Australian businesses wanting to embrace this technology.

“More broadly, we need a National Electric Heavy Vehicle Strategy that outlines a plan to decarbonise our heavy vehicle fleet over the long haul,” said EVC chief executive Behyad Jafari.

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Carol Brown, Federal Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport.

“These changes will be a real game-changer for industry, businesses and other road users, as they will save lives by adopting technology to reduce the likelihood of crashes, while also lowering freight costs and supporting better environmental outcomes.”

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto OAM said the regulator had long advocated for increased harmonisation of Australian vehicle standards with global standards.

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FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Truckies stung at bowser

BY ALF WILSON

RISING fuel prices could see many small fleet and owner-operators go broke, according to several that Big Rigs has spoken to around Australia.

With many clients refusing to accept a rate increase, operators are struggling to make ends meet, they said.

In Penguin, a small Tassie town beside the Bass Highway, one operator told us the cost of diesel was 238 cents per litre (cpl). At nearby Burnie, diesel was 237.9 cpl, whilst E10 was 216.9 cpl.

Veteran Queensland own-

er-operator Laurie Seery, who has been a truckie for 50 years, said the fuel price was “killing transport businesses”.

“We need to band together and do something about it such as stopping delivering for five days and it would shut down the nation,” he said.

Seery added he won’t have a bar of government excuses and claims there is enough fuel in Australia to meet our needs.

“There is a lot of diesel coming out of the ground at Moomba in SA and Aramac in Queensland which is suitable for trucks; some of it goes overseas,” he said.

Charters Towers-based Seery drives a 1998 Acco International and said his costs had skyrocketed in recent weeks.

“I have been getting it in Townsville for $2.16 and my costs have risen big time. Every time it goes up, the price of everything from papers, cars, groceries and everything else rises.

“You check out prices in supermarkets and everything has gone up. Us truckies are being screwed and it now costs double for fuel to transport cars from the north to Brisbane. If I try and put my rate up to compensate, my clients can’t afford it.”

Chad Dehne runs Slingshot

A fuel tanker travels along the Flinders Highway.

Transport based at Katherine in the Northern Territory and runs 10 trucks. “I buy fuel in bulk and used to pay $1.90 and now it has shot up to around $2.20, When I put the rate up some will pay it and others won’t so it affects us,” Dehne said.

Perth-based WA owner-driver Wayne Cook described rising fuel costs as a “modern day version of bushranger Ned Kelly”.

“I was at Ravensthorpe in the south-east last week and paid $2.42 but around Perth it varies from $2.16 to $2.20. At an unmanned site at Bunbury it was $2.17. The price is going up all the time,” explained Cook.

He said the only way he could compensate for the cost rise was to include that factor when he prepares job quotes.

A Victorian owner-operator was also concerned about how rising fuel prices was affecting his business. He’d just purchased a second-hand Kenworth K200 and travels weekly between country Victoria and interstate as far away as Queensland.

“I travel about 5500km weekly and it used to cost me around $5500 and now that has risen to $8500. I fuelled up at Ballarat and paid $2.33 a litre for diesel,” he said.

There are cheaper options out there, he conceded, but they are few and far between.

“I did fuel up to the south of Moree this week and it was just

Veteran Queensland owner-operator Laurie Seery said diesel prices are “killing” transport businesses.

over $1.90 a litre but may have gone up now,” he said.

This angry long-time road transport lad said that when there is a fuel hike, few clients will agree to a higher rate.

“I also have to pay $3500 each quarter for registration and these fuel prices are killing me,” he said. “We keep Australia supplied and get knocked from pillar to post.”

Queensland owner-operator Adam Gee said that rising fuel costs are going to send some small blokes to the wall.

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“Especially if it reaches the expected $2.80 a litre,” he said.

“The cheapest I’ve seen it was yesterday at Captains Mountain at $2.13 and I paid $2.40 at Injune the week before last.

“The average price with the big fuel companies seems to be around $2.25 to $2.35, I think I paid $2.32 in Adelaide on Tuesday, it’s becoming beyond a joke, seriously.”

On a trip out west along the Flinders Highway in late September, Big Rigs checked out the prices at various outlets.

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Another long-time owner-driver said he was also alarmed at how many businesses seem prepared to put up with a cost that equates to around 4050 per cent of gross earnings.

“I have said it before and keep saying it, but it falls on deaf ears, the answer to this problem is camaraderie: one in, all in,” he said. “All owner-drivers have to do is go home for one week. Turn phones off. Go home and spend a week with family, or whatever they want to do, but it has to be all of us.

“When customers cannot get an owner driver/truck to move their freight, they cannot supply their customer. Then the customer is not happy, which in turn makes the end user not happy.

“After two or three days, turn your phone on and the customer will ring, negotiate a safe, sustainable, profitable business, with a seven-day end of week payment term. And in a written contract. This needs to be across the board.”

Australia’s monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) indicator rose 5.2 per cent in the 12 months to August 2023 according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). This was up from 4.9 per cent in July.

Fuel prices were one of the main factors nudging Australian inflation figures higher.

The inflationary impacts from fuel price rises are consis-

Operators are finding it tough to pass on sky high prices.

tent with the latest fuel price analysis from the Australian Institute of Petroleum (AIP).

According to the Australian Institute of Petroleum, the national average diesel wholesale price for the week ending September 22, 2023 was 210.7 cpl.

This is up by 10.6 per cent in three months (190.5 cpl) and by 12.43 per cent from the same period last year (187.4 cpl).

“There is a concern that the price of diesel will rise above the spikes witnessed in mid-2022 and again in late 2022 when the diesel price edged closer to 230 cpl,” said Neil Chambers, director of Container Transport Alliance Australia.

“In addition, what customers don’t see directly are the impacts on the complete cost of diesel fuel imposed on transport operators through the decision of the federal government to increase fuel excise levies on fuel

used in heavy vehicles by 6 per cent per year from July this year (2023) through to July 2026.”

While most container operators levy a fuel surcharge on customers to offset diesel spikes, and other costs of fuel, he conceded the current price increases are “putting pressure” on operators to adjust that charge, which is usually between 24 to 34 per cent on top of the base container cartage rate.

Cam Dumesny, CEO of WA’s peak trucking body, Western Roads Federation, believes governments on all three levels – federal, state and local – can play a key role in helping mitigate rising freight costs by focusing on freight productivity.

“The industry has identified numerous relatively simple and easy to implement solutions that can help reduce freight costs and so cost of living pressures,” Dumesny said. “We know it works. For example, in one instance co-operation with the WA government led to fresh produce being delivered into and out of WA with an extra day’s shelf life, meaning less waste and lower produce costs.”

He believes local governments, particularly in Perth, also have a role to play. “Preliminary analysis by a leading AI company of data supplied by the industry has shown local government decisions are reducing local delivery efficiency by as much as 20 per cent.

“That means residents are paying more. Federally, the government must take a lead on addressing trans-national freight efficiency across all modes, not just road.”

Truckie scares off would-be fuel thief in Coffs Harbour

BY DANIELLE GULLACI

A WOULD-BE fuel thief was given quite the shock when he was caught in the act by this truckie, who was parked up for the night in Coffs Harbour.

Niell Graham, 48, was parked behind the Amart furniture store he was delivering to in a Volvo FH16 Globetrotter and B-double he had driven down from Brisbane.

“I got up and went for a pee at about 4.30am,” explained Graham.

“I came back and was just sitting in my driver’s seat scrolling through my phone when I’ve seen this car pull up.”

Graham was parked behind another trailer when a Ford Falcon pulled up and parked right in front of him.

“I thought what’s this guy doing at this time of the morning. A young bloke gets out

with a hose and jerry can in hand and walks up and stands beside my passenger side fuel tank all while under my watchful eye. He looks around and just as he touches my fuel cap I hit the panic button on my key fob, setting off the truck horn and all the lights light up.

“The poor bloke got such a fright – I think he shit himself. He took off at 100 miles an hour. I don’t think he was expecting anyone to be in the truck. I had a full tank too!”

Based in Nambour on the Sunshine Coast, Graham has been a full time truck driver for over 20 years and says this is the first he’s had this happen.

Though he was told of an incident that occured closer to home. “There was a body truck parked a couple of streets away from where I live. Somebody couldn’t get the cap off the fuel tank so they cut the hose. Then

Niell Graham with the Globetrotter he drives for Senshi Logistics.

WITH THE PRICE OF FUEL BEING OVER $2 A LITRE, THIS IS ONLY GOING TO KEEP HAPPENING MORE N OR

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this poor bugger got up to go to work.

“With the price of fuel being over $2 a litre, this is only going to keep happening more and more.”

Graham currently works for Senshi Logistics, where he’s been since March, delivering to Amart stores at Coffs Harbour, Townsville, Rockhampton, Mackay and Cairns, as well as carrying produce and meat.

“Most of our work is to Amart stores. I was parked around the back behind the store, in a little cul-de-sac – in an industrial area,” Graham said.

“When Amart opened up in the morning, I told them what happened and they said there was a custom car joint that got broken into. There’s also a steel mob across the road from them that have prime movers parked out the front, so I let them know as well.”

Graham added that a neighbouring business had 150 litres of fuel siphoned from their rigid trucks.

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Rock-throwing scare in Brisbane

BRISBANE truckie Chris O’Brien is warning other drivers to be on high-alert along the Ipswich Motorway after a frightening rock-throwing incident that smashed the windscreen of his 4900 Western Star.

O’Brien had been coming from the Brisbane Markets where he was unloading potatoes and had just exited Ipswich Road up on to the Ipswich Motorway at around 8.30pm on September 27.

He’d barely driven 300m on the short home stretch to his depot when there was an almighty bang and a shower of windscreen glass inside the cab.

“I can’t say they were young youths because I didn’t see who it was, but I do know for a fact they were standing up on top of a sign [announcing the Granard Road exit],” said O’Brien who went back to the scene the next day to get photos of where it all happened.

“They had thrown multiple rocks and it looks like half a brick has got the windscreen on the passenger side and put a hole in it and sprayed the entire cab with glass, right to the

The rock that hit O’Brien’s windscreen, pictured inset, rolled back down onto the bonnet.

back of the bunk.”

“I’ve seen a lot of serious truck-related incidents before but I’ll tell you what, this one here gave me a good fright. It’s taken the cake for the sheer panic of it.”

O’Brien said many things go through your mind in those harrowing split seconds, especially when you’re going 70km/h, including avoiding

a collision with the many motorists all around you.

But by far his biggest fear was for the safety of his 11-year-old daughter who was with him at the time.

“I know she’s not meant to but as we were pulling out of the markets, my daughter had just gone and laid down in the bunk, and I tell you what, I thank my lucky stars that she

did,” O’Brien said.

“With the amount of glass embedded in the passenger seat, I wouldn’t like to think about what the outcome might have been had she been sitting in it.”

O’Brien says he’s since spoken to other drivers who have had something similar happen to them in that area in the past and they all told him that it’s a hard experience to shake.

“To this day they said they still have nightmares about it, and I’m not a soft bloke but the first couple of nights after it, they were hard.

“That’s why I’m trying to get a bit of awareness out there about it. This is horrific, and if this had happened on the driver’s side, we might not be having a conversation at all right now.

“This could have been so bad on so many levels, and not just for me, other road users as well.”

O’Brien was told by the police he called on the roadside that night to go to a station the next day to file a full report, but so far he hasn’t heard of any progress on catching the offenders.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Machete-wielding man robs truckie on Eyre Highway POLICE are still hoping the public will come forward with information or dashcam footage that will help their investigation into the robbery of a truckie on the Eyre Highway.

Just before 2.30am on Friday, September 15, police were called to Eyre Highway at Coorabie, after a report that a truck driver had been robbed.

A B-double had broken down on the highway earlier in the day and the driver was waiting for parts to be delivered to continue his journey.

The stranded truckie alleges that a man approached the truck and knocked on the window. He presented a machete and threatened the driver before stealing cash and the keys to the truck, said police.

The man ran towards the back of the truck and drove off in a dark coloured beat-up Holden sedan without registration plates, last seen heading north-west on the Eyre Highway.

The suspect is described as being about 180cm tall, with a strong build, wearing a balaclava and a hat.

The truckie was not physically injured as a result of the incident, added police.

Anyone with information that may assist with the investigation or motorists travelling on the highway who may have dashcam footage is asked to contact Crime Stoppers South Australia on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperssa. com.au.

The truckie was waiting for parts to be delivered when he said a machete-wielding man robbed him.

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‘Scalies, give us a break’

NEWS 7

BY ALF WILSON TWO long-time road transport operators who run weekly road trains from Cairns and the Atherton Tablelands to Cape York have called on scalies to use “discretion and interpretation” before infringing truck drivers for minor offences.

Simon Tuxworth is a director of Cairns-based Tuxworth and Woods Carriers and small fleet operator Dennis Dent spoke to Big Rigs about scalies who regularly set up a heavy vehicle inspection station at Mount Carbine, which is on the way to Cape York.

Tuxworth and Woods have depots at Cairns, Cooktown, Weipa and Normanton while Dent Transport is based at Mareeba.

They both say that scalies have infringed drivers for very minor breaches such as a broken tail-light, or a sensor which is not working.

Tuxworth and Dent claim that on the return journey from Weipa trucks can sustain such damage along the notorious Peninsula Development Road (PDR).

“Instead of fining drivers for these things which can wreck our trucks they should be spending money to fix the road. It is supposed to be a na-

Queensland operator Dennis Dent believes authorities should focus on road fixes, not fines.

tional highway and is in atrocious condition,” Dent said.

The 76-year-old Dent runs four trucks weekly to various Cape York destinations along much of the 590km stretch between Lakeland and Weipa.

About half of the PDR is dirt with many corrugations which cause a lot of damage to trucks.

“Scalies need to show leniency and discretion especially on the way back. I hear some drivers have been booked for a slightly cracked glass windscreen. Where are they going to get that fixed in the middle or nowhere?”

Dent said.

Tuxworth and Woods celebrated five decades of service to the road transport industry last year and has a total of 23 trucks with 13 doing weekly trips to Cape York.

“Only last week one of my trucks was grounded because a sensor light didn’t work which was caused by the rough road. It is in being fixed now and will cost a lot and it costs almost $20,000 annually for registration of a triple road train. The inspectors need to show discretion and interpretation when it comes to minor things which the corrugations are responsible for,” Tuxworth said.

Mt Carbine is where scalies have been setting up to dish out defect notices. Photo: Bruceanthro at English Wikipedia

Numerous other truckies have complained to Big Rigs about the harsh treatment of truck drivers.

They say that the Mount Carbine Heavy Vehicle Inspection Station is open at various times often 24 hours a day.

“Sometimes they stay there for a week and then you don’t see them for a fortnight, we never know when they are there. But we have to stop if they are there,” one told Big Rigs.

When we first posted this story online, readers vented their frustration at the treatment of truckies at this site.

Is your load safely secured?

For more information and to access loading guides and tips visit nhvr.gov.au/loading

One said that TMR should focus firstly on fixing the roads in the area before issuing defect notices for the issues that result.

“Would it not be a reasonable defence that it is the quality of the road that has caused the defect and make the people responsible for the road liable? If it is the case, should TMR not be issuing fines to them as they are a party to the COR?”, wrote Daniel Lane.

Adrian Bates also felt that truckies were being unfairly targetted at Mt Carbine.

“Meanwhile in Brisbane there are cars with no brake

lights, missing mirrors, bald tyres, caravanners with no towing mirrors and exceeding all weights. Tradies’ utes and trailers and vans overweight, unsecured loads, broken lights and so on. I know the rules are the rules, but many owners-drivers of trucks find and fix all problems along the way, or once in a major town.”

Transport and Main Roads did not respond to a request for comment before deadline for this issue.

You can read their statement in the online version of the story published at bigrigs.com.au.

8 OPINION

FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

See you later Dan

EDITOR JAMES GRAHAM

IT’S fair to say that former Victorian Premier Dan Andrews won’t be missed by a large chunk of the road freight industry in the state, judging by our Facebook reaction to his hasty departure earlier this month.

When we put the call out for your thoughts on his resignation, the response was underwhelming, to say the least, and all of it negative.

So where does all this upheavel leave the industry in the state? Jacinta Allan’s promotion to the top job, means a a reshuffle in the transport ranks with Danny Pearson taking up her Transport Infrastructure portfolio. We don’t really expect much to change at our end. We didn’t hear from Allan’s office either.

But you live in hope.

Melissa Horne has retained the Roads and Road Safety and Ports and Freight portfolios, but we can’t imagine there would be many rivals for that role, what with the West Gate Tunnel budget blowout and the woeful state of Victoria’s regional roads.

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WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE TO READER CORNER? EMAIL US AT EDITOR@BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Loading guides get thumbs down

Delays ahead on Hume Highway

THE news about the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s new loading guides for the industry had a few truckies’ eyes rolling.

Many of our readers were sceptical about how the guidelines will actually improve safety on the roads, with Greg Hardwidge describing them as “garbage” and saying they are stopping people from thinking for themselves.

“A hundred questions could be asked here,” Trevor Warner wrote on our Facebook page, while Terry McGregor added: “It reads to me like good work ethic and common sense

OUR story about upcoming delays on the Hume Highway at Marulan, NSW, while pavement replacement work is being carried out caused quite a stir online.

Many of our readers said it was high time something was done to repair road surfaces on the Marulan bypass, adding that it’s been a “disgrace” for years.

Jason Wade wrote on our Facebook page: “About bloody time. Fix the northbound pavement as well. You can’t have proper control of a vehicle when you’re getting thrown

would be all that’s needed.”

Simone Bonazzi joked that the industry is finally safe now that the guides have been released, while Rihanna Harker sarcastically agreed “Yep, all fixed.”

Others pointed out some of the ways that following the Heavy Vehicle National Law and complying with loading requirements can be difficult.

“If a driver picked up pre-loaded trailers and trailers got security seals all over and then the driver can’t break all those seals, open curtains and check load restraints. So how

This truck was intercepted because of a bulge in the curtain.

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into the passenger seat.”

Steve Flanagan described the bypass as the “worst section of road on the east coast”.

He added: “The wise truck drivers go in the right lane or need a kidney belt. Trying to pull in either direction takes effort. And the climb out southbound is like being on a cattle grid. Fix it properly.”

Meanwhile Noel Brown thought the whole road should be rebuilt on higher ground.

“Rebuild the bloody thing on top of a hill so we don’t have to slow down into a hole and drag weight, fighting to get on

The Marulan southbound weighbridge.

the highway with Canberra drivers in fogging conditions,” he said.

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10 NEWS

FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Report finds WA road train explosion was preventable

THE explosion of a tanker carrying ammonium nitrate emulsion (ANE) on the Great Central Road could have been prevented, according to report findings.

The incident occurred approximately 150 kilometres east of Laverton in October 2022, with the driver lucky to escape injury.

The road train included a dolly and two aluminium tankers, carrying 61 tonnes.

At about 9.30am, the driver noticed black smoke coming from the rear trailer, then stopped and attempted to extinguish a fire on the rear passenger side wheels of the rear trailer using two dry chemical powder extinguishers and a nine-litre water extinguisher.

Due to the intensity of the fire, the driver was unsuccessful, so disconnected the dolly and rear tanker, before driving the rest of the road train to

This image was captured by drone about two hours after the explosion. Photos: Incident investigation report (Ammonium nitrate emulsion tanker trailer explosion)

The route of the vehicle and location of the incident near the Gruyere mine site.

a safe distance.

Emergency services and the mine site emergency response team attended the incident scene, where at 11.33am, the tanker exploded, causing several spot fires around the site.

Luckily no one was injured.

As a result of the explosion, a crater, approximately 15 metres by 17 metres wide and one metre deep was formed.

A 100kg piece of steel shrapnel was thrown approximately 413 metres from the blast site, while a 31kg piece of the trailer’s turntable was found 672 metres away.

Following the incident, the WorkSafe Group of the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) investigated, with a 120-page report now released.

Though it reported that incidents of this type are rare, it found that improvements are required to better prevent and respond to tyre fires on vehicles transporting ANE and similar products.

According to the DMIRS report, the likely cause of the tyre fire was a loss of pressure in an air supply line that caused the trailer’s brake system to overheat and set grease alight on the brake drum.

The report said dry chemical powder fire extinguishers are not effective for cooling purposes and cannot prevent re-ignition of flames.

Although the portable fire extinguishers complied with the regulatory requirements, the number and type fitted to the vehicle were inappropriate for the type and size of the fire.

“Water and/or foams are the most appropriate firefighting media for tyre fires,” the report said.

“Dry chemical powder and

carbon dioxide may not be as effective since burning tyres have enough heat energy to reignite after flame knockdown and require continuous cooling with water or aqueous foam.

“Fighting tyres with water requires significant quantities to cool the tyre and extinguish the fire. Foam or encapsulating agents have the added benefit of being a good blanketing agent that will adhere to the surface of a burning object and suppress the fire.”

DMIRS’ chief dangerous goods officer Iain Dainty said it was fortunate the explosion occurred in a remote location and that no one was injured.

“Our report contains 16 recommendations for industry, and everyone involved in transporting dangerous goods must understand their responsibilities,” Dainty said.

“The explosion would not have occurred if the driver had been able to extinguish the fire, and there are practical measures to reduce such risks.

“Transport operators can also modify the design of their tanker trailers to better protect them from fires.”

Dainty added that the incident has already seen more transport companies and mine sites take additional measures to reduce the likelihood of fires on trucks carrying ANE and similar products.

“Operators are increasingly upgrading fire-fighting capability and making design improvements, and I encourage all interested parties to adopt such practices.”

As a result of the investigation, the state government has directed the department to introduce legislative amendments and develop a new Code of Practice to ensure the risk of

The explosion left a crater, approximately 15 metres by 17 metres wide and one metre deep.

such incidents is kept as low as possible.

Two other trucks carrying ANE have caught fire this year, one in New Norcia in June and another in Newman in August.

While these fires were left to burn out after the drivers tried to extinguish them, the ANE did not explode.

Dainty said the incident was the world’s first known detonation of ANE during transport since bulk movement of the product was introduced in the 1980s.

“Given the significance of this event, we immediately sent a team to the remote eastern Goldfields to investigate the scene and probable cause,”

Dainty said.

“The blast was equivalent to between one and three tonnes of TNT, but this was a fraction of the explosive power as the road train was carrying 33.8 tonnes of ANE. “Emergency Response Teams felt the blast wave at their position 3km away, while workers at a mine site around 25km away felt vibrations and saw windows rattling.”

A condensed version of the report featuring information for transport operators and drivers, including the 16 recommendations, can be found at dmp.wa.gov.au/Documents/ Dangerous-Goods/ANETan kerExplosion_Summary.pdf.

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Free first aid training for all truckies now online

ST John Ambulance and the National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) are rolling out free online first aid training for all truck drivers to recognise their status as often being the first responder at an accident scene.

The organisations are also making available a first aid kit at a massively discounted price, thanks to the support of

a group of industry sponsors.

The training will be delivered via an online platform that will take a truckie through basic first aid training and a certificate is issued upon completion.

It will be accessed via a QR code (pictured right), which will also be promoted in Prime Creative Media publications, including Big Rigs. The QR

code will also be printed onto written work diaries, thanks to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).

“NatRoad’s thanks go not only to St John Ambulance but the NHVR and Prime Creative Media for their support of this important initiative,” said NatRoad CEO Warren Clark at the association’s annual conference on the Gold

[L-R] Adrian Watts and Valmai Dempsey from St John with NatRoad CEO Warren Clark.

Coast late last month.

“The partnership is a reminder that our entire industry has a stake in keeping people safe.”

Normally $264, the specially adapted first aid kits for truckies will be available to all drivers for $79 via the St John Ambulances ecommerce platform, thanks to the support of Ampol, Bridgestone, NTI and PACCAR and Dealer Industry Fund. NatRoad members can also purchase kits under the industry resources tab at natroad.com.au.

St John Ambulance Australia chief executive officer Brendan Maher said truckies are an important audience for both training and first aid kits.

“This first aid initiative recognises the important role of Australia’s truckies,” Maher said.

“With accidents often occurring on regional or remote stretches of road, access to emergency medical care can take time. Having basic first aid skills that can be applied until help arrives, can save a life.”

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said he was proud to team

Just scan the QR code above to get started on your free first aid training.

with St John Ambulance and NatRoad to contribute to safer roads across the country.

“Thanks to this important partnership, truck drivers around Australia will be better equipped to deal with emergencies,” Petroccitto said.

“Drivers are the ones out on the roads every day, so it’s incredibly important to see them better prepared for those times when they’re first on the scene of an accident.

“We’re all committed to making the roads a safer place, and having this training in place will hopefully save lives.”

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12 NEWS

FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Truckies’ $1200 shock after driving through this town

Heavy vehicle drivers - and local motorists - are fuming after receiving fines for speeds they are adamant they weren’t doing.

BY ALF WILSON SCORES of trucks drivers have received a nasty surprise in the mail in the form of a $1200 fine with the loss of six demerit points after a hidden camera detected they were speeding through the outback Queensland town of Torrens Creek.

The bill can be up to six times higher when a company pays on the driver’s behalf, as one operator told us he’s now doing for several staff caught in the sleepy town’s speed trap.

Torrens Creek is situated on the Flinders Highway, 160km from Charters Towers and 100km from Hughenden in the opposite direction.

Most of the infringements have been when a camera allegedly recorded them doing well over the speed limit, which is between 60km/h and 80km/h, according to signs in the main street.

Torrens Creek has a population of just 70 and it is understood that some locals wanted cameras in place after reporting that motorists and heavy vehicles were regularly speeding through town.

Many trucks, including quads, triples, doubles and rigids, travel through Torrens Creek along the Flinders Highway which is the main road link between coastal Townsville and Mount Isa. One NSW driver contacted Big Rigs and said he was clocked at 92km/h by a camera as he drove along the main street.

“There is no way I was doing that speed and I got a real shock when the ticket came in the mail advising I had to pay a $1200 fine and would lose six points which was devastating,” he said.

“The distance between the signs is about 300m and there is no way driving a road train I could have been doing that speed. I had turned onto the Flinders Highway just before the 60km/h sign from the Aramac Road and wouldn’t have had time to reach that speed.”

Initially the owner-operator said he was going to contest the matter in court.

But when the prohibitive cost of defending it in court was taken into account he took it on the chin and paid the fine.

The 60km/h sign at the inland entrance to Torrens Creek.

The 20km/h sign at the Warrigal Bridge near Torrens Creek where a speed camera is often in place. Photos: Alf Wilson

He also received advice that it would be very difficult to “beat the matter in court”.

Big Rigs knows of another truck driver who delivers refrigerated goods out west and travels through Torrens Creek who has been infringed twice.

This truckie now faces loss of his licence and probably his job unless he can appeal to a court to allow him to drive for work purposes only.

To be fair to authorities, there is a ‘reduce speed’ warning just before the 60km/h sign.

But Big Rigs has heard that around 50 Hughenden residents, who are all well aware of the speed limit, have also received fines, some have even lost their licence, adding weight to locals’ theory there is a fault with the camera’s calibration.

“These yellow cameras are obviously incorrect and the fines would be illegal because it is giving a wrong reading,” one woman told Big Rigs.

Big Rigs travelled to Torrens Creek late last month and spoke to many people including truck drivers about the cameras.

Everybody we spoke to has either been infringed or knew somebody who has but they were all reluctant to be named.

The general consensus of opinion was that the camer-

Dozens of trucks go through this busy stretch of the Flinders Highway each day.

The Exchange Hotel in the main street where many locals swap stories about fines.

as are “revenue raisers” which boost the state government’s consolidated revenue by a “huge amount”.

“The bloody cameras are only a few hundred metres apart and I can’t see how these drivers are getting such excessive fines,” one man said.

A woman who works at the local hotel said she had been infringed for travelling at a lesser speed and paid the fine.

“I did go over the speed limit so I was guilty and just paid up,” she said.

Another man said that cameras had been in place around Torrens Creek and surrounds for about a year.

“They are moved around but now most people here know where they are,” he said.

However, that is not the case for unsuspecting truckies many of whom travel the highway at night.

One camera which also records many speed infringements is often located at the Warrigal Creek Bridge just out of Torrens Creek.

There is a speed limit of 20km/h on the one lane narrow bridge and many motorists travel well above that when no other traffic is in sight.

A give-way sign at each end ensures that only one ve-

THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE SIGNS IS ABOUT 300M AND THERE IS NO WAY DRIVING A ROAD TRAIN I COULD HAVE BEEN DOING THAT SPEED.” hicle can cross at a time.

Long-time Townsville-based industry advocate and former operator Barbara Anderson told us she’s heard of many local motorists and truckies who have been fined due to what she believes are faulty cameras.

She even told us of one truckie who had submitted photographic proof that he wasn’t travelling at the speed the cameras alleged he was doing and had the fine withdrawn.

“All have said there is no way they could have been doing that speed. Especially when they were doing 60km/h through the town and then [supposedly] clocked at doing 108km/h on the bridge,” Anderson said.

Anderson, a former NatRoad board member, has now lobbied Kennedy MP Bob Katter in the hope he’ll start an investigation into the cameras which arrive in-

termittently, for up to two weeks, and are sometimes placed so drivers can’t see them.

“Because it’s over 100km/h and 40km/h over the speed limit, if they pay their fine they automatically lose their licence for six months,” said Anderson who now runs a driver training business.

“They think that because they got a fine in the mail with the loss of demerit points, that’s all that happens.”

Anderson has heard that the 20km/h limit at the bridge is due to supposed safety concerns around weight limits.

“But would you really take that chance and still let these big trucks across if you didn’t think the bridge was safe,” she said.

“There is the issue of revenue, and there is safety. It’s basically a revenue thing, that’s all it is. Truck drivers only have 12 points, and if they lose points, that’s their livelihood. The last thing they need to be doing is going to work and losing points.”

Transport and Main Roads did not respond to a request for comment before deadline. You can read their statement in the online version of the story published at bigrigs.com.au.

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FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Taking viewers along for the ride

This truckie has gained quite the following, documenting his travels on his YouTube channel, where his videos have amassed over 2.9 million views.

BY DANIELLE GULLACI STARTING his career on the road as a motorcycle courier, Johnno, 51, now travels the country in his road train.

He’s away for weeks at a time, carrying all manner of freight to wherever it needs to go. Last year alone, he clocked up over 233,000 kilometres and spent 311 nights in the truck.

“I started in transport in 1990, but not in trucks. I was a motorcycle courier around Perth, back before emails, when every document had to be hand delivered,” Johnno said.

“I didn’t get into big trucks until 2011. I had always been interested but had never driven them. I got my HR licence, but couldn’t find any work, so thought why not upgrade my licence.”

For the past three and a half years, Johnno has worked for

Deniliquin-based Lumbar’s Transport.

“We don’t have a regular run, we go anywhere. When I get to Perth I don’t ever know where I’m going on the return.

It’s like a Kinder Surprise, I never know where I’m going to go. That’s the great thing about this job and why I’m able to make these videos. I get to travel all over the place. I’m usually away for three to four weeks at a time,” Johnno explained.

Through his Road Train Adventures YouTube channel, Johnno takes viewers along for the ride, travelling across the country in a Kenworth T909.

He’s gained quite the loyal following, and has had numerous truckies recognise him on his travels, whether it be at truck stops or by his voice over the radio.

Johnno moved from Perth to Melbourne five years ago – and when he chatted with

Johnno’s YouTube channel Road Train Adventures shares his travels across the country.

Big Rigs, he was Perth-bound, with his wife and kids along for the trip – for the first time since the family moved to the east coast.

Along with the runs being quite diverse, so too are the loads. “It’s whatever people give me. Right now I have a prime mover, a million dollar box trailer used for mining and then other mining equipment.

The loads can be anything and that’s what’s so great about it, the variety,” explained Johnno.

Some of the footage he captures is simply stunning, including the incredible drone shots of the Bunda Cliffs that featured in a recent video called, “15 Days in a Road Train - Perth to Brisbane to

You’ll find him behind the wheel of this Kenworth T909.

For the past three and a half years, Johnno has worked for Lumbar’s Transport, transporting all manner of freight.

Melbourne then back to Perth – Gear Changes”.

Published only four weeks ago, the video has already had over 143,000 views.

Johnno says he started incorporating drone footage into his videos early on, here’s why.

“I started the drone footage soon after I started making the videos because I had some trouble getting the drive-by shots. I would run up the road and set up the tripod and camera, then run back to the truck, drive by and then run back to the camera. I thought, this is crazy, so I got the drone.”

A 42-minute video, ‘15 Days in a Road Train’ shows some of the impressive landscapes Johnno encounters along the way, while also doing some road train spotting and stopping to help a couple of fellow truckies who had broken down.

At a time when comradery and mateship out on the road isn’t quite like it used to be, Johnno is all too happy to stop and lend a hand whenever he can.

“I don’t know why, but people just don’t seem to stop and help anymore. People will see someone on the edge of the road and they keep on driving. Whenever I have time I always want to stop. That could be me one day, and I’d hope someone would do that for me too,” said Johnno.

As was the case recently when he was travelling the Ootann Road in Queensland.

“I had a cracked radiator hose and had run out of water and couldn’t drive because it would just spray out. I tried to manufacture something using a Coke can, but then luckily a farmer came along and took me down to a creek with lots of buckets for water. I knew another driver would eventually come through, but luckily the farmer came along first.

I had already been there for about four hours and when I did get going, I found out that the other company drivers were delayed and wouldn’t have been there for another 12 hours!”

In his videos, Johnno aims to show things how they are.

“I like to break the videos up into different segments. I want to make it like a TV show and include different camera angles. I’m trying to put a variety of things into each episode. I want to make it interesting,” explained Johnno.

“If you read the comments, people enjoy that I show realistic stuff that really happens on the road, I don’t dramatise it.”

In his ‘15 Days in a Road Train’ video, Johnno pulls up in front of the broken down truck drivers.

After looking at their trailer, he notices the swing arm on the suspension has snapped, so

WE DON’T HAVE A REGULAR RUN, WE GO ANYWHERE. WHEN I GET TO PERTH I DON’T EVER KNOW WHERE I’M GOING ON THE RETURN. IT’S LIKE A KINDER SURPRISE, I NEVER KNOW WHERE I’M GOING TO GO.” JOHNNO

he heads on over with his tools to see how he can help, getting under the truck to get it fixed.

He then travelled with them to the next parking bay to check that the wheels were turning properly, and that the brakes and wheels weren’t dragging.

The experienced and knowledgeable truckie says he’s learnt all he knows because he was never afraid to ask questions, adding that it’s important to help new truck drivers understand why this is so vital.

“I encourage people to ask questions because it’s much better to ask and look foolish than to not ask and look even more foolish!” Johnno said.

“When anything goes wrong with my truck, I would already know the symptoms, so I’d ask the mechanic what it was that went wrong in case it happens again.”

Armed with his drone, he captures some spectacular footage like this great shot of the Bunda Cliffs.

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Prices herein are recommended selling prices for both Privileges members and non-members, inclusive of GST. Recommended selling prices in this publication are provided as a guide. Prices may vary at the dealerships. Freight charges may apply. Core charges are not included in selling price however may be applied by the dealer. All items have been included in good faith on the basis that goods will be available at the time of sale. Promotion available at participating Dealers from 1 September to 31 October 2023 or while stocks last.

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16 FEATURE

FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Cruising the suburbs in the new Scania Super 500G

Our test driver can’t wipe the smile from his face after tackling the packed streets of Melbourne in comfort and a well-insulated, near silent cab.

BY GRAHAM HARSANT IT’S 6pm on a Friday afternoon and I’m sitting in the usual traffic jams that beset the Hume Highway as you come off the Western Ring Road.

The four lanes are having their regular in-fighting, trying to become two. It’s every man for himself here, where the possibility of common courtesy - as in let one merge, move forward, let another merge and so on - is only the stuff of dreams.

And I find myself smiling, even as three other drivers decide that they have some God-given right to force their way between me and the car in front.

‘Go for it, boys,’ I think to myself, backing off to let them all in and to save the crumple zone at the front of the trusty Territory from self-activating.

Sometimes, when you’ve had a really, really good day, not even bad road manners can detract from the mood. And I have in fact spent the entire day in heavy traffic weaving in and out and around the truck-laden roads of Laverton and other choc-a-block streets of Melbourne’s suburbs which should have soured the mood for the trip home.

So, why am I smiling? Because I’ve spent my day in a Scania Super 500G, and as a ‘workplace’ in which to cope with the frustrations of traffic, roundabouts, roads of all description and their requisite potholes, I can’t think of a better office to be in.

The G is the middle-sized cab in the Scania range – the others being the smaller P cab

THERE’S ZERO KICKBACK THROUGH THE STEERING AND I’M QUICKLY AT EASE WITH THE WAY THE SCANIA HANDLES ALL TYPES OF S RF C S and the larger R cab. The 500 denotes the horsepower and in this iteration is paired with 2650Nm. This is better than any other 13-litre on the market barring Scania’s 560hp version of the same donk that gives a whopping 2800Nm. There are also 420hp and 460hp versions available.

It’s not only the numbers but how they interact with each other and here the power and torque complement each other beautifully. No matter the speed or the incline, one or the other (or both) is always in play.

The Super in-line 6-cylinder engines offer fuel savings of around 8 per cent compared to their predecessors. Employing a Twin-SCR system with dual AdBlue dosing, the motors are designed to meet both current and (foreseeable) future emissions’ regulations.

Just as importantly, Scania has reached new levels of brake thermal efficiency, breaking the 50 per cent barrier. Brake thermal efficiency shows the amount of power taken by the crankshaft out of total power generated by the combustion of the fuel That doesn’t sound especially riveting until you discover that Formula 1 engines have only recently broken this figure

We’re hooked up to a single trailer with 30-something tonnes of ballast for the test drive.

and that the average for diesel trucks is a mere 30-40 per cent.

After that spellbinding information all you really need to know is that the resultant effect of Scania’s work is to give you better fuel economy and more usable power.

That power is now pushed through Scania’s new 12-speed Opticruise gearbox with faster and smoother gear changes – not that the old ‘box was a slouch.

But while the engine, gearbox and the myriad of safety features – including being the

Our test driver is impressed with the suppression both in the ride and at the wheel.

only truck brand with side curtain airbags – is enlightening, that’s not what put the SmileOn-The-Dial.

Being the ‘Momma Bear’ (middle-sized) of the range, there are three steps to climb up into the cab instead of the ‘Poppa’s’ four. The lower cab means that there is a slight hump in the floor between the seats, but it’s no higher than a certain American brand’s bigger cab-over.

Inside, there are all the usual Scania accoutrements such as very comfortable seats with fold down armrests, lots of cubbies, a clear and logical dash, a fridge to keep lunch cool and an inner spring mattress in the bunk.

I’m joined by Alexander Corne, Scania’s PR man, who

has mapped out a city route sure to put a strain on the nerves of any truck driver – much less this rural-dwelling part-timer.

In keeping with expectations of this type of driving, we’re hooked up to a single trailer with 30-something tonnes of ballast. Unlike the all airbag R660 I drove a couple of weeks back, the 500G has parabolic steel springs on the steer and airbags on the rear so I’m expecting a difference in ride and steer quality.

Yes, there was, but it was so minimal as to be forgotten almost as soon as I’d thought about it. This is a super (pun intended) truck to drive around in.

We come to a road with ragged edges and enough pot-

holes to keep the local council workers employment for the next few years and Alexander tells me to drive over as many as I can. Happy to oblige, I’m impressed with the suppression both in the ride and at the wheel.

There’s zero kickback through the steering and I’m quickly at ease with the way the Scania handles all types of surfaces.

At the (many) sets of lights we come to, the truck’s retarder does its job to perfection, leaving the braking until the last few metres. A dab on the brake and the Hill Hold comes into play until the lights turn green when a touch of the accelerator disengages it.

Continued on page 18

Inside, there are all the usual Scania accoutrements such as very comfortable seats with fold down armrests.

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FREECALL* 1800 TRPART (877 278) ONE PHONE NUMBER TO CONNECT WITH 58 DEALERS AUSTRALIA WIDE Prices herein are recommended selling prices for both Privileges members and non-members, inclusive of GST. Recommended selling prices in this publication are provided as a guide. Prices may vary at the dealerships. Freight charges may apply. Core charges are not included in selling price however may be applied by the dealer. All items have been included in good faith on the basis that goods will be available at the time of sale. Promotion available at participating Dealers from 1 September to 31 October 2023 or while stocks last.

Whilst every effort is made to limit the impact of delays, due to current global supply chain challenges, some products may not be available in all retail outlets during the promotional period.

* Calls from Australian landlines are generally free of charge whilst calls from mobile phones are typically charged based on the rate determined by the caller’s mobile service provider. Please check with your mobile service provider for call rates.

18 FEATURE

FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Restoration of iconic drag truck is gathering speed

The Mean Machine pulled double-duty in the early days.

BY GLENN WATERREUS IN 2016 I wrote a story in Big Rigs about an iconic drag truck called the Mean Machine, a B-model Mack owned by the legend himself, Billy Gordon.

I loved doing the story on this truck because of its iconic history on the highway and on the race track.

It’s the truck I grew up with watching at Surfers Paradise International Raceway back in the day.

The truck is iconic because of one man, that’s Billy Gordon.

Billy not only bought that truck as a young fella and ran her up and down the highways of Australia, he then decided to race her.

It all came about back in the mid-70s when some Gold Coast and Brisbane-based highway runners, who had egos bigger than the gear they were driving, decided they wanted

to have a go with their highway trucks on the race track instead of the highway (no speed limiters back in those days).

So began the quarter mile running highway trucks at Surfers Paradise International Raceway. Some of the interstate trucks would pull up out in the car park, drop their fully loaded trailers and run the quarter mile. Then after the night was over, they would hook up their trailers and continue on their trip to Sydney and brag all the way down.

Guys like Morrie Lowe, a local Gold Coast truckie who ran the quarter mile more than once in his Kenworth K125, and of course Billy Gordon and his old B Model Mack.

I will always remember the last race that I saw the Mean Machine run. That was against Frank Gaffiero’s Expeditor, later to be known as The Bandag Bullet, at Surfers Paradise International Raceway.

From page 16 NOW we’re on a two-lane road and the driver in the truck beside me is changing up though his gears – 3, 4, 5, 6, etc, while I’m sitting back enjoying the scenery.

I know there are many out there who’d have nothing other than a Road Ranger but for the life of me I don’t know why – particularly in

this urban setting. Auto boxes are great these days and Scania’s is up there with the best.

I wrote in my recent drive of Scania’s V8 R660 how easy it was to place that truck between the lines and this is no different. Point it and that’s where she goes, whatever you’re driving on.

I’ve always been a two

Billy Gordon and his beloved Mack were a huge drawcard.

The celebrated Mack is on the way back to its former glory.

The truck eventually ditched highway work to race fulltime.

The legend himself, Billy Gordon, with the star of the track.

When I last did the story on the Mean Machine, Billy and Sharon said they would never sell that truck.

Well, a lot has changed since that interview in 2016.

I was so saddened to hear about the passing of Sharon.

Heart-felt condolences to the Gordon family from everyone here at Big Rigs.

Billy and Sharon decided

to sell the Mean Machine to Bernie Tobin and Neil Conway on one condition. That condition was that the Mean Machine is to be restored back to its former glory. No ifs, or buts, and no changes.

The deal was done. So, the float was despatched south to pick up the Mean Machine from Billy and Sharon’s farm at Norwell and the float then headed

north to Bernie and Neil’s place where the restoration is well and truly underway.

That’s where our next story will begin. So, I’m heading north to talk to the boys. The owners, the mechanics, the panelbeaters and spray guys to see how they are going with this legendary truck.

I can’t wait to catch up with everyone up there and have a

look at the truly iconic truck of our past to see how she is looking.

By the look of some of the photos I have seen, she is looking absolutely great. Trucks like this have to be restored because that’s where our trucking history started back in the day.

• Ed’s note: We’ll have part two of the restoration story in Big Rigs later this year.

hands on the wheel driver but sitting there chatting away with Alexander, I had to remind myself a couple of times to do so. I also had to remember that I had a decent length trailer and 30plus tonnes behind me, such is the ease of driving this truck.

The hours went by, we chatted away in well insulated

near-silence and all too soon the day was over. Climbing down from the cab and I’ve surprised myself at just how good I feel physically.

Like all Scania’s product, the Super 500G is a joy to drive and is the perfect companion to the driver who traverses the ‘burbs all day. Not that you wouldn’t be just as happy driving it intrastate

or even interstate – the only caveat on the latter being the fuel capacity of 640 litres.

I pulled up at a truck stop recently – as it happens, in a Scania - and got into a conversation with a driver of a well-known American truck brand. He described his cabover ride as “a paddock wagon”. Reckoned his back wouldn’t last too much lon-

ger and he’d have to retire.

If the Scania had been my truck, I’d have thrown him the keys and invited him to go for a spin around the block.

I reckon it would add 5-10 years working life to ‘shaken and stirred’ old bones. The same applies to the Super 500G. Don’t believe me? Just get in one and drive it!

Easy on the stress-levels, and the back, it’s a joy to drive

The truck is the perfect companion to the driver who traverses the ‘burbs all day.

Like all Scania’s product, the Super 500G is a joy to drive.

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20 ROADHOUSES

FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Spirits flow at haunted pub Boasting delicious homemade food, a great atmosphere and perhaps a ghost or two, this historic hotel continues to be a drawcard for truckies.

BY ALF WILSON FOR many years, Duane Davies was a common sight driving a White Road Boss in north Queensland while also helping his wife Gina Davies run a popular roadhouse for truckies beside the Bruce Highway.

The life of Duane revolves heavily around the road transport industry and his family.

These days he is still a part-time driver as well as a publican at what is believed to be one of Australia’s most haunted hotels.

If you stop off there and order a beer, or spirit, try listening to one of the many witnesses – or you may even come into contact with a spirit of another type, with ghosts said to haunt the upstairs rooms at night. l caught up with Duane at the Imperial Hotel in Ravenswood recently and yarned to him about his life as part of the road transport industry, and serving the industry at the Imperial Hotel – and of course, ghosts, over a cold ale in the public bar.

“We have had a lot of reports from people who have stayed here who say they have seen ghosts at night. People from Melbourne University were here and a paranormal group with detection equipment and I was told this is one of the most active places in the country,” said Duane. “They must have put that on the internet because after that we had clairvoyants and paranormal people coming here.”

I asked Duane about his own personal experiences, and he spoke of two occasions that convinced him they were friendly ghosts who helped save the hotel.

“I had been asleep and was dead to the world one night and was suddenly awoken by a ghostly light in my room and I thought I was in the horrors.

But it urged me to go downstairs and I smelt smoke and

Duane Davies holds a photo of his 1981 White Road Boss 300.

The Imperial Hotel was built around 1902. Photos: Alf Wilson

opened a door. An electrical unit in the cold room had caught on fire and I managed to put it out before it spread,” he said.

The second time Duane spoke of was after a Halloween Ball at the pub when a ghost appeared in his room warning him of danger.

“A line into one of two 180kg gas bottles downstairs had leaked and would have exploded if somebody had lit a cigarette. Luckily me and Gina don’t smoke but we had 50 Ulysses bike riders out the back and if one of them had have come in and used his cigarette lighter the place would have gone up – I managed to fix it and release the gas by opening doors,” he said.

We get people from all over the country and overseas who come here to check out if there are ghosts.”

about 87km from Townsville and 47km from Charters Towers in the other direction.

From the turnoff it is 40km to the historical town and along the way you will see cattle – sometimes on the road because it is unfenced along stretches – and maybe even emus or goats.

Some time ago when the bridge on the main street was closed for repairs, local characters with a genuine bush sense of humour referred to the ends as East and West Berlin.

When the couple were proprietors of the Rollingstone Roadhouse, which is between Ingham and Townsville on the Bruce Highway, Duane was well-known for driving his trusty blue White.

That was between 2008 and 2014, when he carted material for treatment plants between Rollingstone and

Duane said the nearby Catholic Church was also reported to be haunted and several times people who have stayed there during the night before Sunday Morning service had beat a hasty retreat to the pub after claiming to see a ghost.

A previous publican had also told me about the haunted church more than 20 years ago and one of those who reported a ghost there was a religious minister.

Visiting Ravenswood is like travelling in a time capsule back to the late 1800s when it was the centre of a goldrush and had a population of thousands and around 20 pubs.

These days there are just two hotels – the Imperial, and the Railway just up the main street, both built circa 1902.

The turnoff to Ravenswood is along the Flinders Highway,

Duane and Gina Davies run the popular roadhouse and hotel beside the Bruce Highway.

Townsville in his 1981 White Road Boss 300.

“I delivered sludge from a treatment plant near here to Townsville and the White was very reliable. When I was not in it I parked it next to the roadhouse on the other side from the eating area,” he recalled.

“I loved the old White and donated it to a family at Charters Towers. I still keep a picture of it at the Imperial here in the public bar.”

Both Duane and Gina are quality cooks and tantalise the tastebuds of patrons at the Imperial with a bevy of great food.

“We get a lot of truckies who stop in here, bringing equipment to the local mine and others who deliver. Also some who are travelling further along to the Burdekin Dam come in,” Duane said.

Homemade food has always been a trademark of the couple and when they were at the Rollingstone Roadhouse their hamburgers were a big hit with truckies.

I had visited them there in 2013 and saw scores of truckies pop in for a burger or something else to eat.

“We used to get as many as 50 trucks a day stopping there and a lot were regulars.

Many truckies phoned their orders through and the food was waiting for them. Truckies loved our big pieces of fish either battered or crumbed and our homemade pies, also toasted sandwiches and the burgers,” said Gina.

“They must have liked them because most keep coming back for more.”

Before taking over the Rollingstone Roadhouse Duane and Gina had also previously helped run the historical Imperial.

I HAD BEEN ASLEEP AND WAS DEAD TO THE WORLD ONE NIGHT AND WAS SUDDENLY AWOKEN BY A GHOSTLY LIGHT IN MY ROOM AND I THOUGHT I WAS IN THE HORRORS.” DUANE DAVIES

Three years ago they leased the hotel from Gina’s family at Ravenswood, which has a permanent population of just 250.

“My parents had the Ravenswood Imperial Hotel, and from 1997 to 2004 we were there with them and prepared all of the meals. So that was a great experience for us at the roadhouse. Lots of drivers stopped there and there were two old trucks parked out the side,” Gina added.

They have taken those cooking skills with them to the Imperial and their homemade pies are much sought after.

“We get truckies stopping here to get a pie and we even get regular visits from members of the North Queensland Pie Eating Club,” Duane said.

The day I stopped at the Imperial with my wife Jenny, she ordered at short notice a toasted ham, cheese and tomato sandwich.“It was absolutely delicious and didn’t take long to be served,” Jenny said.

The Imperial also has beer on tap and my schooner certainly quenched my thirst after a long day’s work snapping pics of truckies beside the Flinders Highway.

I left the Imperial having enjoyed yarning to the couple. Pardon the pun but I had really gotten into the spirit of things.

22 ROADHOUSES

FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

A popular stop for truckies along the Strzelecki Track The pub relies on trucks to deliver food and other goods there and one of particular importance is the Sterling Transport vehicle which arrives weekly from Adelaide.

“It brings refrigerated food and other stuff. They are a good company to deal with,” Kalms said.

But what happens if they have a busy period and run out of some supplies?

“I drive 38km down the road to Leigh Creek which has a good supermarket and a population of around 250,” he said.

Before taking over the Lyndhurst Hotel, Kalms ran nine other pubs in SA or Victoria including one at Mallee for 19 years.

A true okker Aussie character, Kalms used a few colourful but well humoured “expletives” when I phoned him this week.

Our conversation was made much more interesting with some of his colourful quotes

Owner of the Lyndhurst Hotel, Laurie Kalms, turns 80 this month.

BY ALF WILSON

AROUND 250 truck drivers a week stop at the outback Lyndhurst Hotel in South Australia, which is owned by legendary operator Laurie Kalms.

For the past nine years, Kalms, who turns 80 on October 17, has run the Lyndhurst Hotel which is located along the notorious Strzelecki Track, most of which is dirt.

It began as a stock route, located 596km north of Adelaide via Port Augusta and Parachilna, and today is nothing more than a few buildings, some ruins and some rusting old equipment. Much of the Strzelecki Track is a bumpy dirt road.

I asked Kalms what the main types of trucks that stop at the pub are and what they carry.

“I don’t know their models, a truck is a truck to me, but there are lots of triples and B-doubles and many come from Port Adelaide with mining material

which has arrived by ships from around the world. Many then travel on to different destinations including Moomba up the highway,” Kalms said.

He added that he is warm friends with many of the truck drivers and said they are looked after well at the pub.

“There is lots of parking and showers and toilets and many enjoy a meal here which in my opinion are the best and tastiest in outback Australia,” he said.

I asked what was amongst the favourite food enjoyed by truckies who stop there.

“It would have to be steak and schnitzel. Most of our business is from tourists in vans, buses or truckies,” he said.

Kalms has three workers, including a cook named Rhonda. “She serves up the best food you could ask for,” he said.

Despite his rising years, Kalms is still a Jack of all trades at the pub, often helping out in the bar and kitchen.

and gave us both a good laugh.

Born at Murrayville in Victoria, Kalms had been a builder and bricklayer before taking on the pubs.

In his heyday Kalms was a quality Australian Rules football player in north west Victoria and is a life member of the South Mildura Club which competes in the Sunraysia League. “I was a ruckman and was 186cm tall back then but don’t think I am that tall now,” he said with a chuckle.

Kalms is an inductee into the prestigious South Mildura Club Hall of Fame.

I asked what AFL club he barracks for. “I used to be a big Collingwood fan for years but have gone off them,” he said.

In recent times Kalms has not enjoyed the best of health and has had two stints at Mildura Hospital.

“I have recovered from that but now have a thyriod problem,” he said.

Because of his rising age and twilight years, Kalms has put the pub up for sale.

“Not many people have money these days but this is a good business where you meet lots of people,” he said.

So if and when a sale comes through, what will Kalms do?

“I plan to go on tours but not in a van. I will be looking for bus or train trips but they must be cheap,” he said.

Until then, Kalms, who is a wealth of knowledge, will continue having a cold beer with visitors and enjoying life to the fullest.

It was most enjoyable having a conversation with Kalms, albeit we were thousands of kilometres away from each other.

Kalms also paid tribute to his “sweetheart” Jan who he said had been a tower of strength for him and an asset to the business.

The pub is open daily from 6am until 8 or 9pm.

Located on the Strzelecki Track, the hotel is frequented by about 250 truck drivers each week.

In tune with BP Cluden Roadhouse’s popular singing chef

BY ALF WILSON

Singing chef Adam Jerri in the cooking area at the BP Cluden Roadhouse.

UPON entering the BP Cluden Roadhouse in north Queensland, you might be lucky enough to hear songs coming from the kitchen, courtesy of 43-year-old Adam Jerri – the roadhouse’s very own singing chef.

The BP Cluden Roadhouse is located on the outskirts of Townsville across from the racecourse. It is one of the biggest roadhouses in the far north – and most days, more than 100 truckies pull up there, coming in from all over the country.

Here, they can fuel up, have a hot shower, enjoy a meal in the eatery or purchase a takeaway before retiring to their sleeper box.

And they may just hear Jerri belting out a Tom Jones hit such as “The Green,

Green Grass of Home” or perhaps a tune from Jimmy Barnes, Alan Jackson or Luke Holmes.

Jerri has also earned a reputation for being a very courteous worker. He is a qualified baker too, making him a big asset to the roadhouse.

I asked why he sings whilst at work. “It is something different and the customers seem to like it. I am known as the singing chef now. I also enjoy talking to customers as I like the yarn and dribble,” he said.

Often you will see Jerri walking to a table with a meal in hand for a hungry truckie.

So I asked what some of their favourite dishes were.

“The three most popular are steak, parmigiana and hamburgers and we serve up big helpings at a reasonable price here. Five days out of seven the huge parking area

here is full of trucks,” he said.

Born in Cessnock, NSW, Jerri started doing his apprenticeship as a chef in Charters Towers and finished it in Cairns.

“I have been a chef for 10 years and before that had always worked around food,” he said.

Along the way he found time to qualify as a baker and now tantalises the tastebuds of customers with a variety of dishes and pastries.

Jerri started working fulltime at the BP Cluden 10 months ago, and is especially vocal with his songs when on night shift.

“I just like singing at work and people out in the eatery can hear me. Before starting here I used to come out and enjoy a meal,” he said.

Jerri’s long beard has become a trademark of Jerri, so I

asked if anybody has ever told him he resembles Australian bushranger Ned Kelly. “No but I get told all the time my beard is great,” he said.

Some of the staff at the roadhouse also reckon Jerri is “not a bad singer”.

During his holidays, Jerri tries to get back to Cessnock to see his mother. And of course cook her plenty of delicious meals.

Scan to see a video of Adam Jerri singing.

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24 FEATURE

FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Industry-backed duo raise $10k in ‘Little Red Rocket’

Milly MC and co-pilot Tina Hill, a safety assistant for a Gladstone engineering company, raised $10,550 with the help of their sponsors.

The pair was put on the stiff bar and dragged for 100km on dirt.

ALWAYS up for an adventure, all in the name of a good cause, heavy vehicle pilot Milly MC jumped back behind the wheel again of her ’88 Holden Astra for another action-packed fundraiser for Variety – the Children’s Charity.

Teaming with new co-pilot Tina Hill, Milly joined 78 other teams for the 2023 Variety Bash, a 10-day, often bone-jarring jaunt from Toowoomba to Cairns to raise money for kids who are sick, disadvantaged or living with a disability.

It’s not supposed to be a race, but try telling that to Milly and her ace navigator, who ensured no wrong turns were ever made.

Within the first three days the Astra had been dubbed

soon lost power.

“We just made it to the checkpoint before the car completely died. We were then put on the stiff bar and dragged for 100km on dirt.

By the end of the day, they ended up in Clermont looking like two orange “Oompa-Loompas”, but that still wasn’t enough to dampen their mood as they laughed and waved at passing bashers to come around them.

“We managed to then get the car to Mackay where the mechanics had a good look under the hood, and luckily it only ended up being a loose belt on the alternator and was an easy fix,” Milly added.

After a two-day layover in Mackay, which included private marquee tickets to the

WE JUST MADE IT TO THE CHECKPOINT BEFORE THE CAR COMPLETELY DIED. WE WERE THEN PUT ON THE STIFF BAR AND DRAGGED FOR 100KM ON DIRT.” MILLY MC

‘Kenny – Little Red Rocket’, and the car did the duo proud as it copped a real beating on the dirt roads with lots of dips, uneven and broken terrain, and corrugation that just rattled the dash apart.

One of the highlights came just after the start on a bush track heading west towards Surat.

With Milly in the steering seat, foot flat to the floor in first gear, they narrowly missed obstacles, left, right and centre as they glided sideways through the sand.

“It was so much fun,” Milly said. “This is what the bash is all about, just having a good time.

“Unfortunately, in the second sandpit we came across we had to get towed out, but I took it as a good opportunity to jump out and capture the moment on my camera.”

By day four, however, the pair found themselves in a spot of bother.

Cruising along somewhere between Balcaldine and Jericho, overtaking other ‘bashes’ and leaving them in their dust (literally), they

Within the first three days the Astra had been dubbed ‘Kenny – Little Red Rocket’.

NQ’s Rock’n Country Festival, featuring Morgan Evans and Shannon Noll, the pair pushed on to Cairns, via Port Douglas, spending the last few nights at The Rocks, Ingham and Mereeba.

Together, Milly and Tina, a safety assistant for a Gladstone engineering company, raised $10,550 with the help of their sponsors: Ace Haulage, Bowers Heavy Haulage, Salmon Earthmoving, Prestige Truck Sales, Hills Heavy Haulage, Pilbara Mining Power, Copy Southbound Podcast, MTS Trucking, Maher’s Heavy Haulage, SSS Road Transport, RMPS (Ron McNamara Pilot Services), Rocky Glen Hotel Gladstone (RG’S) and the RG’s Social Club. In total, Variety raised $1.6 million

from the event.

The pair has also signed up to take part in the 2024 Variety Bash from Goondiwindi to the Gold Coast, via Lightning Ridge, from August 12.

To help them reach their fundraising goal of $20,000, visit varietybashqld.com.au/ kennylittleredrocket or simply scan the QR link on this page.

Milly and Tina had so much fun they’ve already signed up for next year’s event.

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26 WALL OF FAME

FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Honouring our trucking legends

Worthy inductee onto industry’s hallowed wall

As he reflects on his 40-plus years in transport, it’s clear Andrew McKean has earned his rightful place among the icons in Alice Springs.

BY AINSLEIGH BILATO

“ANY truck driver who isn’t proud of being on that Wall of Fame, you’ve just got to tell them that they’re the ones keeping this country moving!” says 2023 inductee, Andrew McKean.

Despite feeling immensely proud of his nomination and subsequent induction into the Shell Rimula Hall of Fame, Andy was emotional upon receiving his award.

He admits he was doubting himself: “Am I receiving this for the right reasons? Do I deserve this?” Taking a look back at Andy’s 40-plus years in the transport industry, there is no question that he has earned his rightful place up on the wall.

Andy’s interest in trucks may be traced back to his father, who worked in ground transportation for the Australian Airforce prior to and during World War 2. Perhaps he took inspiration from his brothers, an accountant for Harris Transport and a grain and fertiliser carter respectively.

In any case, it didn’t take much persuasion for an 18-year-old Andy to trade his work on a farm, driving tractors, for a class 3 licence and a spot behind the wheel of an old Commer, carting potatoes from Mathoura to Echuca for the local cafes.

After one very hot season moving grain in an International Acco Butterbox, Andy headed south to Melbourne in search of a longer-term role.

With Southern Cross Removals, Andy began a 15-year career in furniture transport and removals. Andy became well-acquainted with the Hume and Newell Highways, travelling between Melbourne and Cairns, Brisbane and

Townsville on a weekly basis.

By 1989, Andy was a sales estimator for Rainbow Moving and Storage in Townsville, responsible for the quoting and booking of jobs.

When Rainbow Moving and Storage wound up, Andy went north to the Atherton Tablelands. Tasked with organising removals south to Brisbane, Andy would be loaded with new furniture for stores in Atherton Tablelands on his return.

Heading back to Melbourne in 1993, Andy was quickly picked up by Konway Express to haul general freight interstate in a Kenworth T404.

After an enjoyable six years with Konway Express, Andy was met at the yard one day by liquidators. He was handed a letter thanking him for his service and was instructed to collect his gear out of his truck – a harsh reality for many against the backdrop of 2002’s millennium drought, weaker global economy, and increasingly competitive industry.

On October 9, 2002, Andy, while driving for Transtar Express, was hijacked and held hostage for five hours.

This incident saw him step away from transport for two years while he sought support from his family, friends and professionals.

Andy spent this time erecting and inspecting scaffolding for the Commonwealth Games Village. By the time Andy’s work on the Commonwealth Games facilities was complete in 2005, he felt ready to get back behind the wheel.

“I felt I had to because I had a mortgage, but I knew I wanted to get back my passion for trucks. I had to get

Andy had an enjoyable six years with Konway Express.

in there and earn it,” Andy recalls.

It was a good friend of Andy’s that played an important role in his recovery by offering him a role with Highway Haulage, doing scaffold deliveries in a UD truck.

Without a bunk, Andy would sleep behind the seats.

“I used to call it a veggie rack, because you would wake up in the morning feeling like a bag of rotten fruit.”

He notes that the National Road Transport Museum houses a twin-steer, single-axle UD similar to that which he used to drive. “My back still twists up when I look at it!”.

Andy, having experienced many different facets of the transport industry, says he has noticed that companies are starting to get hungrier, both for work and for drivers.

A decade ago, securing a backload from Sydney was a given. However, now, Andy notes that a driver will have to fight for the opportunity and is not always given a fair disbursement. For an owner-operator to survive in this industry today, Andy advises that a handful of “really good contacts” is essential.

Although Andy has plans to retire in the next year, he has plenty of suggestions as to how he’d like to see the industry improved to best support the next generation of operators.

Better facilities at rest and fuel stops can make the time spent away from home more sustainable.

“In the 80s, we used to have our certain spots along the Newell Highway where you could get a decent meal – a good steak or a lamb chop,” recalls Andy.

“Nowadays, there’s bugger

One of his last driving jobs was for Frankston Sand-Soil and Mini-Mix.

Andy carted bubble wrap for Sancell for three years.

all unless you want fast food.”

Andy’s late wife, Joy, always planned, had they had the money, to open their own truck stop and keep it stocked with healthy, hearty food.

While Andy and Joy never did open their truck stop, Andy had his fair share of hospitality practice out on the road.

Doing long hauls, Andy would pull up and cook himself a steak and, if he was still

Andy was understandably proud to his see his name join the hallowed wall in Alice Springs.

hungry, he’d make pancakes.

He recounts a time where two or three other truck drivers joined him, having smelt his pancakes cooking. He was prepared with an extra bottle of pancake mix and provided what the other operators described as “the best food they’d had in a long time!”

Andy acknowledges that the regulation of the transport industry that we see today is necessary but recommends that the NHVR also consider rewarding compliant behaviour, rather than focusing on penalising breaches.

Where an inspector is satisfied that the operator is compliant, Andy proposes it would go a long way to be told, “Well done, you’ve done the right thing. Here’s a truck wash voucher, or a free feed at the dine-in”.

It is clear that Andy is no stranger to advocacy for his industry, although not always intentionally. When driving Melbourne to Sydney, Andy got caught in the early rumblings of the blockade of the Hume Highway, just past Mittagong.

He couldn’t get past the protestors so had no choice

but to stick with them. He was travelling so slowly that his truck overheated and, in turn, blew up. Andy wouldn’t make it to Sydney, nor could a tow truck from Sydney get to him, and so he was cornered at Mittagong. He notes that it was lucky he only had plastic bottles on.

Today, Andy is semi-retired in Mathoura and works part-time driving the courtesy bus for the RSL – the best in the business if you ask his patrons. From UFOs to a particularly memorable display by a stranded bus of women on the Hume Highway, Andy remembers his time in transport with great fondness.

“Every day is different and that’s what I like about trucking. It’s a bit like life: some days you wake up and there’s a whole line of caravans in front of you, other days you wake up and you’ve got a clear run.

It is what it is.”

Living on the Cobb Highway, Andy never feels too disconnected from his life in transport as many of his mates give him a toot while passing through on their way from Melbourne, often at midnight.

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28 EVENTS

FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Fallen truckies honoured at Lights on the Hill event

THOUSANDS of people gathered to pay tribute to fallen truck drivers at the annual Lights on the Hill event in Gatton, Queensland.

Some 2500 attendees and 697 trucks converged at Gatton Showgrounds over Saturday September 30 and Sunday October 1 for a weekend of commemoration and entertainment.

The 20th anniversary of event began with two convoys of trucks – one leaving from Toowoomba, and a bigger cohort from Brisbane.

Many of the trucks carried images and names of truck and coach drivers who had passed away before their time, and hundreds of people lined the route to show their support.

Back at the showgrounds, there was a truck show, live music, trade and food stalls, free kids’ rides and fireworks in celebration of the transport industry.

The second day took on a more sombre tone, with a poignant memorial ceremony at Lake Apex Park. Over 70

fallen truck drivers were honoured at the service, with their names added to the Lights on the Hill memorial wall.

Lights on the Hill president Tim Lowien said the atmosphere was heavy with emotion, as grieving friends and family members of truckies who have passed away offered comfort to each other.

“The memorial was absolutely beautiful. Lots of families turned up and there was just incredible solidarity,” he said.

“I don’t know how many people I saw having a bit of a hard time, and someone else was patting them on the back and offering support.”

Lowien stressed the importance of remembering people who have given their lives to the Australian transport industry.

“I believe truck drivers are very unsung in Australia, for what they do for everyone.

Without truck drivers, you wouldn’t be clothed or fed.

“Nothing happens without trucks. It’s the old saying – without trucks, Australia

stops, and it couldn’t be more true.

“A lot of the drivers who get put on the wall are people who dedicated their lives to the transport industry.

“The wall is our way of immortalising their sacrifices and triumphs in service to their country.”

The event has a personal resonance for Lowien, whose best friend died in a work-related accident in 2017.

“My best mate, Billy-Joh Watts, was a truck driver who passed away after an accident happened at work.

“We were friends for a very long time – 16, 17 years. Since I was a teenager. He was the Best Man at my wedding and the godfather to my two children.

“It was his birthday on October 1, as well as it being my wedding anniversary and the Lights on the HIll event. So there was a bit going on with me emotionally, I can tell you.

“I actually got involved with the Lights on the Hill event because I was friends with some of the people who

The Lights on the Hill Queensland Truck and Coach Drivers Memorial.

Names honoured at the 2023 memorial service: Robert John ANDERSON “Pictures” Brendan David ARMANASCO Ian Frances BECKHOUSE “Becky” James Gordon BOLER “Dad” Craig Allan BUCHANAN “Buck” John Edmund Stuart BUCKMAN “JB” Daniel Charles CAPNER “Danny” Wendy Maree CHAPMAN “Flea” Scott Ronald CHRISTIANSEN Dan CARTER “Danny” Wayne Churchill CLARKE “Blister” Samuel James COOK “Sam” Shane Patrick CONLAN “Connie” Glenn Colin CRAFT “Alma Fudd or Fuddy” Gino De MARCO Ian DONALDSON “Pommie B” Stephen DUNBALL “Steve” David John DURBIN “Boi” John EUSTACE “Jed” Karl Owen EXTON Garry GORDON “Flash” Daniel Eric James HALL “Danny/Ralph/BIGSXE” Dylan John HARM “Dyl” John HATCHMAN “Hatchy” Russell John HATHAWAY “Russ”

An aerial shot of the Gatton Showgrounds, where the event took place.

ran it and when Billy-Joh died, they helped me through that time.”

Lowien said he would like to see more of an effort being made to improve safety for truck drivers.

“I think more definitely needs to be done to improve road conditions,” he continued.

“There’s a lot of emphasis placed on what the truck drivers need to do to keep the trucks up to spec etc, but then some of the roads they are expected to drive on are very unsafe.”

Overall, he was delighted with the turnout at the Lights on the Hill event and said that while it was emotional, lots of fun was had on Saturday too.

“The support that the general public gave us this year was amazing.

Mark William HAYES “Wombat” Edward Arthur HEINEMANN “Tom” Garry James HINDS “Hindsie” Christopher Anthony HOCKEY Geoffrey Martin HOLLIS “Geoff” Christopher Noel JOHN “Chris” Glenn Neville JUST “Justy” William George KELELHOHN “Ketels” Glenn Raymond KING “Kingy” Russell KINSEY “Rusty or Coighty” Trevor Gary KINSEY “Farmer” Peter Alan LAMONT “Scrubby” Alf LAYTON “Daddy Cool” Reginald James LEE “Reg” Bryan Steven LEVEY “Cowboy or Steptoe” Karen MALCOLM “Special K” Edward Joseph MASTERS “Ted” Kenneth Brian McCREA “Kenny” Michael James McLeod “Micmac” Bradley MIDDLEBROOK “Big Jiga” Michael John MORRIS “Micky M” Shane MORSE Mervyn NAUMANN “Merv” Brian Glen NITZ “Nitzy” Kenneth James PADGET “Butch or Padge”

The Road Hammers, who flew from Canada to perform at Lights on the Hill. Photos: Gotcha By Karl Photography

“I loved seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces, and their arms up pumping to get the horns blowing on the trucks.

“There were signs out thanking the truck drivers and it just gives them the respect they deserve.

“Everyone was there to support each other in the transport industry.”

If you would like the name of a loved one added to the Lights on the Hill memorial wall next year, visit lightsonthehill.com.au.

David William PEARCE “Duck” Edward Douglas PERRY “Bear” Kevin John PICCINELLI “Pincho” Patrick Brian POLLARD “Pat” Geoffrey Alan PRIEST “Priesty” Franz Wilhelm PROFKE “Frank” Gregory William (Greg) ROBERTSON “Robbo” Claude Wesley RUSSELL “Pappy” Desleigh Michelle SCOTT James Robert SCOTT “Toss” Robert Ernest SCOTT “Scotty” Robert James SCOTT “Bob” Garry Neil SULLIVAN Rodney James THOMAS “Thommo or Rocket” Kerry Kent USHER Evan Kenneth William WALSH “Walshy” Douglas William WALTON “Doug” Brad WERNOWSKI “Bandit” Stephen Clyde WHITE “Spike” Frederick John WILLIAMS “Fred” John WILLIAMS “Jack” Craig John WOODCROFT “Dec” Stewart McKeag YOUNG “Stewie”

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30 EVENTS

FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Industry unites at Gatton From page 28

Truck Show Winners

Rig of the Show S&J McMahon Transport Best Heavy Recovery Harvey’s Towing Best Light Recovery Allcoast Towing Gold Coast Best Paint Mactrans Heavy Haulage

Justin Dwyer, left, and Luke Layton at the memorial wall.

Fleets from all over Queensland converged at the Gatton Showgrounds.

Best Large Fleet Ambrose Haulage Best Cabover JKA Haulage Best Rigid TKN Excavation Best Small Fleet Red Rock Transport Best European K. S. Easter Transport

Lights on the Hill officials and volunteers setting up for the event.

The truck show trophies in all their glory .

Best American Land Transport

Wemyss Transport from Brisbane turned out in force to show its support.

The winner of Best Rig in Show.

Gary “Simmo” Simpson, Jamie Wilkins and Tim Lowien with their award for Best Cabover.

J.R Stephens Transport paying tribute to Peter Hird.

Some of the crew from JKA Haulage enjoying the weekend.

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32 EVENTS

FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Huge display of Kenworths old and new at truck rally

HELD as part of the Clarendon Classic Rally, at Hawkesbury Showground in Clarendon, NSW, the 2023 Kenworth Klassic brought together over 700 trucks, which made for an impressive display.

Held on the third weekend in September each year, the event took place on September 16 and 17, with over 5000 people coming through the gates.

Designed as a family fun day, Clarendon Classic Rally event co-ordinator Steve

Muscat says there are no truck awards handed out, it’s just “a fun day for all”.

Of the trucks on display, around 500 were Kenworths of various models and ages.

There were also other trucks on display dating as far back as the 1920s.

“The range of Kenworths on display was a real highlight. But with the popularity of the whole vintage truck movement, the vintage truck scene has really grown too over the past 10 years or so,”

added Muscat.

“We had trucks there from Tasmania, Queensland and even Western Australia. And they reckon they’re coming back again. Normally once they’ve come here once, they’ll come back again.”

The real big rigs were joined by Little Big Rigs Sydney, with incredible life-like, remote-controlled scale truck models. Muscat says these are always a hit with the kids and the big kids alike!

Along with the massive

display of trucks, there were steam engines, aeroplanes, radial aircraft engines, army tanks, military displays and a vintage tractor pull.

As Muscat explained, he himself is a vintage machinery enthusiast. He’s been on the scene since he was just 14 and now has over 100 pieces of antique machinery, including 80 tractors, all of which he collects and restores. “I took 20-odd items to the show – it was eight semi trailer loads,” he said.

The scale models attracted plenty of attention. Photo: Facebook/Little Big Rigs Sydney

The Wickham Freight Lines line-up. Photo: Malcolm Toop

This old Kenworth may have seen better days but was still kicking on. Photo: Malcolm Toop

A flashback to the 1970s with this Ford. Photo: Malcolm Toop

The Kenworths were all lined up and shined up. Photo: Malcolm Toop

Acacia Transport’s new Legend SAR, which recently featured on the cover of Big Rigs. Photo: Malcolm Toop

The oldest vehicles on display dated back to the 1920s. Photo: Bruce Brown

The iconic Kenworth K125 ‘Grey Ghost’. Photo: Malcolm Toop

The event saw around 500 Kenworths on show. Photo: Malcolm Toop

Some great looking Kenworths from Murrell Freight Lines, including a T909 and Legend SAR. Photo: Malcolm Toop

The 100 Years of Kenworth model line-up. Photo: Malcolm Toop

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36 DRIVER PROFILES

FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Truckin’ In The Tropics

with Alf Wilson

Townsville-based tree loppers hard at work WHEN Big Rigs saw Corey Hess near his Hino in Charters Towers he and his workmate Nick Nelson were lopping trees which were close to power lines at Centenary Park.

They work for Eastern Tree Service (ETS) and are based at Townsville, 130km from Charters Towers, but travel far and wide ensuring high trees don’t come into contact with power lines.

“The company has a contract with Ergon Energy and we get as far away and Brisbane, Toowoomba down south and up north to Cairns,” Hess said.

Hess was on ground duties whilst Nelson was high up in an elevated work platform cutting the branches which fell to terra firma.

The lads both drive the Hino and Hess said they are often confronted by insects while tending to the trees.

“There are lots of bees and green ants and sometimes snakes and possums,” he said.

They both enjoy the work and get to travel a lot. Nelson also gets a good view when high in the sky as was the case at Centenary Park which is beside a busy road in Charters Towers.

Nick Nelson in the elevated platform.

Corey Hess near the Hino.

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DRIVER PROFILES 37

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023

Truckin’ In The Tropics

Decades on the road

with Alf Wilson

From the army to trucking

SOON after pulling up in his Mack R-Series beside the Flinders Highway, Kenneth Lynn walked into the Calcium Puma Roadhouse.

The 59-year-old works for Townsville Mini Loads and was hauling gravel to Mingela which is 37km from Calcium.

“I have only been a truckie for a few months and had been in the army for a long time,” he said.

Lynn enjoys his new career and especially working for Townsville Mini Loads which

is a big supporter of the annual Townsville Convoy for Kids.

He was born in Scotland but is a true-blue Aussie now.

“I came to Australia when I was just one year old,” he said.

Lynn said the Calcium Roadhouse is a good place to stop.

He rates the worst road he has been on as the section of the Bruce Highway between Bowen and Rockhampton.

Whilst he doesn’t have any real hobbies of note, Lynn is an avid AFL Supporter, following

St Kilda in the national league.

“I used to play Aussie Rules in Perth when I was a youngster,” he said.

I had been to Charters Towers that day and saw Lynn on my trip there that morning.

About six hours later, on the return trip, I also stopped at the roadhouse, where you can get a copy of Big Rigs.

As I was leaving Lynn pulled up again and asked me a question.

“Have you been here all day,” he said with a smile.

Mick Vaughan drives a Kenworth Aerodyne for Aurizon.

FRIENDLY driver Mick Vaughan was having a break at the Mingela rest area beside the Flinders Highway when Big Rigs saw him recently.

Vaughan was driving a Kenworth Aerodyne for Aurizon at Townsville and mainly transports containers.

“I have a load of fertiliser and have been to Charters Towers,” he said.

Whilst Vaughan said the rest area there had clean toilets and good a good shaded area with seats, there were plenty of flies around that afternoon trying to get a share

of his food.

Aged 65, Vaughan has been a truck driver on and off for decades and was also a qualified tradesman in Townsville when he was younger.

“One of my apprentices was Gene Miles who was in his fourth year,” he said.

Miles went on to become one of Australia’s best rugby league players, having represented the Brisbane Broncos, Queensland Maroons in the State of Origin and the Kangaroos in Tests.

Vaughan rates the Hughenden to Richmond stretch of

the Flinders Highway as challenging to travel on.

He is not on his lonesome there as that is also an opinion of many other drivers.

This veteran truckie said the truck was good to drive.

When asked about his hobbies, he said, “I used to play golf but don’t have much time for that now. But I enjoy being in a caravan and have travelled as far away at the Kimberley in WA,” he said.

Vaughan was also wearing a wide brimmed hat and with his fair complexion has had some skin cancers removed.

Kenneth Lynn was hauling gravel to Mingela.

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38 DRIVER PROFILE

FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Truckin’ In The Outback

From one generation to the next From the time he was just a young boy, this second generation truckie already knew what he wanted to do – now he’s living the dream, running from east to west.

BY DANIELLE GULLACI SPEAKING to Brad Russell, 37, he recalled the first time his late father let him get behind the wheel. “The first time my dad asked if I wanted to have a drive of the truck, I thought I was king,” he said.

“I would have been about 13 years old. He was very passionate about his truck and very picky about who he let drive it. It was an old Kenworth T900. He sat there next to me and said this is what you do. I’ll always remember that.”

For Brad, trucking is in the blood. Along with his father Neil ‘Willie’ Russell being a truck driver, so too were his cousins. “So I followed suit – even though my old man said not to!

“As a kid growing up, at school they’d ask what I wanted to do when I was older, and I always said I wanted to drive trucks – and that was from about five years old. I was always passionate about trucks so I followed through and did it.”

Through his career, Neil did interstate work carrying livestock and general freight.

When Brad was younger, his dad would call home after school to see if he wanted to come for a ride.

“The truck was always around. Dad would get home and we’d get out there and help him wash it. There was always something to do on the truck.”

And their strong bond continued into adulthood.

“There were even a couple of times where he’d come with me and we’d do a two-up trip together. He was driving trucks for the best part of 3040 years. But he passed away a few years ago.”

Based in Hay, NSW, Brad has worked for Dawsons Haulage since November 2022, running out of their West Wyalong depot, some three hours away.

His usual fortnightly run is a nine-day, 7400 kilometre, multi-stop journey from West Wyalong to Perth, carrying all manner of general freight, including oversize – from behind the wheel of a Kenworth C509. “It’s mainly general freight – anything that can go on a flat top or drop deck, we can carry. I do a little bit up to Karratha but that’s only every now and

Brad Russell has been honing his truck driving skills since he was just 13.

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Truckin’ In The Outback

Travelling through Victoria River in the Northern Territory.

then. I also took a C540 mine truck to Geraldton about a month ago too,” explained Brad.

“I enjoy the work. We do multiple drops and pick-ups which keeps you active as well.

You’re not just sitting in the truck the whole time. And a lot of customers we go to are great people that you can have a laugh and a coffee with and then do what we have to do.”

Brad got his heavy rigid licence as soon as he was able to, at the age of 18 and began doing local work in Moama, then he got his HC at 19, which is when he started on interstate, transporting trac-

tors and machinery. Within about two years, Brad upgraded to his MC. “I prefer the interstate work. You’re out and about and never in the same rut of doing the same thing every day. You get to meet new people, go to a lot of different places and get to see a lot of the country that a lot of people don’t get to see,” said Brad.

Though he added that things are now quite different to what he recalled growing up. “There was the fun they used to have out on the road. There was that mateship out there, everyone

looked out for each other. If we pulled up and had blown a tyre, at least two people would pull up and see if you needed a hand.

“A lot of roadhouses were completely different to how they are now too. These days a lot of them have Maccas and KFC. But I remember as a kid that any roadhouse you pulled into, you could get a good feed. Now it’s getting harder to find a good home cooked meal at a roadhouse.”

Although there are a few stops he highly recommends. “The Puma at Port Augusta is always a good

Brad Russell has been with Dawsons Haulage since November 2022.

feed. And when I head up to the Territory the Hi-Way Inn at Daly Waters is top of my list. I love it there.”

Brad says Dawsons is a great company to work for and even allows him to take his kids along on trips – just as he did with his father growing up.

“I have two sons and three step-kids. The boys all want to drive trucks just like dad. Anything to do with machinery and trucks, they’re always there. My sons are three and seven years old, and my stepson is 17.

They’ve all been in the truck with me. They fight over

who comes with me every time. They really do love it.

And I take the truck home all the time, so if I’m washing it, they’ll come out and give me a hand too.

“Dawsons are really good like that. It’s like when I grew up. We just need to let them know. It’s a thing that’s dying out really and I think it’s sad. How do kids get to spend time with their dad or their mum or whoever it is that’s driving the truck, and get to see exactly what goes on?”

When asked if he could see himself doing this sort of work for a long time, Brad

answered without hesitation.

“Yeah, this is what I know and what I’m comfortable with. I love my truck and take a lot of pride in it. A lot of people would say being away is hard, but I’ve grown up with it so that’s just a part of the job.

“I also enjoy getting to go to places I’ve never been. I have a lot of mates out here that you don’t generally see on weekends, so I get to see them out on the road.”

When he’s not behind the wheel, Brad says he enjoys going camping and spending time with his family and good mates.

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40 SPY ON THE ROAD

FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Looking forward to an overdue return to Tassie Detection awareness

SPY ON THE ROAD WITH ALF WILSON

Tasmanian trip looming

Soon Spy will be travelling to Tasmania for the first time since 2019.

I’m looking forward to catching up with heaps of truckies I know down in the Apple Isle and meeting with old journo mates.

I’ll also be checking out the new rest areas, the upgraded highways and of course lots of roadhouses.

Of particular interest will be the Midlands Highway between Launceston and Hobart and the northern Bass Highway.

But I’ll also be getting up the east coast to places like Swansea, Triabunna and Scamander.

Also to the south west towns of Queenstown and Strahan where I know several owner-operators.

Mobile phone and seat belt non-compliance cameras are now located around Tasmania.

A total of 14 such cameras are now in place with two more coming soon.

Fuel prices hit small operators

I had a yarn to a Victorian owner-operator who like many others was concerned about how rising fuel prices was affecting his business.

This driver has just purchased a second-hand Kenworth K200 and travels weekly between country Victoria and interstate as far away as Queensland.

So I asked for some monetary figures about just how much his fuel cost has increased.

“I travel about 5500km weekly and it used to cost me around $5500 and now that has risen to $8500. I fuelled up at Ballarat and paid $2.33 a litre for diesel,” he said.

Had he patronised any outlets on his journeys where fuel was a fair bit cheaper?.

A quad travels along the Flinders Highway, where cars often overtake in a dangerous manner.

“I did fuel to the south of Moree this week and it was just over $1.90 a litre but may have gone up now,” he said.

This angry long time road transport lad said that when there is a fuel hike, few clients will agree to a higher rate.

“I also have to pay $3500 each quarter for registration

and these fuel prices are killing me,” he said.

Having said all this, he added that a lot of money didn’t seem to be getting spent on improved rest areas for drivers.

“We keep Australia supplied and get knocked from pillar to post,” he said in conclusion.

Dangerous overtaking

A De Bruyns truck at the junction of the Midlands and Bass Highway in Tasmania.

While travelling along the Flinders Highway between Townsville and Charters Towers, Spy saw four acts of dangerous driving during where cars were overtaking quads or triples in a reckless manner.

There have been a lot of roadworks on some stretches of the 130km long road and some parts even have a 110km/h speed limit.

But there are other stretches where overtaking can be dangerous unless visibility of oncoming traffic is clear.

These bigger road trains are more than 50m long and it takes some time to overtake.

I saw two of the incidents where overtaking cars almost had head-on collisions with less than 50m to spare.

And that was when the truck drivers who were abiding by their legal speed limit saw the danger and slowed down.

Sludge doppelganger sighted

Whilst standing in a parking area of a roadhouse Spy saw a rather humourous incident involving two truckies.

One saw the other walking past towards the eatery and commented, “You are a doppelganger of a famous person.”

Neither Spy or the second truckie had ever heard that word before so I asked what it meant.

“He is a genuine lookalike of Sludge who appears in Outback Truckers on television and also in Big Rigs,” he replied.

Spy checked on Mr Google to confirm the exact meaning of what is a German word.

A doppelgänger is a biologically unrelated look-alike, or a double, of a living person who is not related.

With that knowledge I had a closer look at the middle-aged truckie and indeed,

he did strike a resemblance to the popular Sludge.

I asked them could I snap a pic but they both declined.

If you are a truckie or road transport worker who is a doppelganger of somebody famous or know somebody who is, we want to know.

Send in a pic to Big Rigs with a contact number.

Drover’s dog mystery solved

Curiosity killed the cat as the old saying goes and numerous truck drivers who stop at and pass through Julia Creek contacted Spy about a recent name change of a popular stop there.

“What had been called Gannon’s Hotel there for many years suddenly changed its name to the ‘Drover’s Dog’ and I would like to know why,” one asked.

He even snapped a pic of the new title when he passed through Julia Creek which is 250km from Mount Isa along the Flinders Highway.

Julia Creek is a major service town for the Gulf cattle industry, and is a major transport trucking centre in the

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SPY ON THE ROAD 41

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023

Outside the newly named Drover’s Dog Hotel at outback Julia Creek are workers (from left) Tomas Chianetta, Camila Vallo and Zae Bayard.

north-west of Queensland.

It handles about 48,000 head of cattle annually and being strategically located is popular for drivers to stop for a cold soft drink and a hearty feed.

So Spy phoned the pub to get to the bottom of the change and was directed to the company which owns it.

Spokesman Geoff Arbis told me that it was decided to call it the Drover’s Dog Hotel to give it a bit of character and to generate interest and a

talking point to coincide with the new ownership.

“There are big plans to develop the site with additional motel rooms, a new gaming area, and outside beer garden, while keeping the country pub feel,” he said.

“The best feed at the hotel is the T-bone with chips and salad with a side of pepper sauce. Soon we will be looking at bringing a rib-eye on the bone sourced locally. We have also changed our bottle shop banner to Thirsty Cam-

An Industry Training truck teaching truckies passes my suburb.

el and increased our product range on offer. We will also be looking at having music on a monthly basis.”

I did a bit of research on the pub’s history and found it was originally built in 1925 but burnt down five years later.

Its replacement was built in 1932, by Mr and Mrs Bill Gannon who resided in the shire for 50 years.

It featured in the movie of Neville Shute’s “A Town Like Alice”, filmed in 1956, catapulting Julia Creek into the world spotlight.

The new Gannon’s Hotel was rebuilt in 2016 after burning down in 2015.

were created in the early days so horses and drays could turn around.

Good vibe at roadhouse

Learners on the rise

Several truck drivers have contacted Spy singing the praises of the Vibe Roadhouse at the historical WA town of Coolgardie.

Three of them were WA drivers whilst another four are from interstate and stop off there when delivering in the region.

“They serve great food, there is plenty of parking next door in a road train assembly area. The shower was temporarily unavailable the day I was there but there are good clean public showers at the assembly area,” one driver told me.

It is open from 5am to 8pm and another driver said the staff were very friendly overall.

Coolgardie is 558km east of Perth and has a population of approximately 850.

Although Coolgardie is now known to most Western Australians as a tourist town and a mining ghost town, it was once the third largest town in state (after Perth and Fremantle).

One feature in Coolgardie is wide streets which I am told

Near where Spy lives there is always a lot of activity for learner drivers including for some truckies.

I often spot an Industry Training truck with a learner and an instructor passing my house. Learners get to do a variety of skills including reverse parking. So Spy made a few enquiries and soon discovered the reason why.

“That particular suburban area has several streets which are near rises so it is an ideal place for hill starts,” one instructor said.

Excitement over big win

Old Spy was a passenger in a vehicle travelling along a quiet street near the CBD in a town where he lives when an off-duty truckie who was walking on the footpath was in a rather excited state.

We had stopped on a red light and the lad asked me to wind down the window and showed me a piece of paper.

“Last night I won 10 gorillas on the pokies at the

local pub and I am pretty happy about it,” he said.

A ‘gorilla’ is a slang term for a thousand dollars and the paper he displayed was his collect slip.

He drives a big truck for a mining company and works two weeks in three.

Jackpot big win

There is a well-known mechanic who does a lot of work on trucks who recently won a jackpot on the pokies at a pub he occasionally frequents. Two middle-aged ladies who are his close friends passed the info onto Spy and said he won more than $25,000.

This gent also owns a racehorse or two which have been doing very well at a couple of tracks in country cities.

A nicer bloke you wouldn’t meet, however he is a bit shy, and whilst flattered that Spy wanted to do a story on him repairing trucks, he courteously declined.

However, one of the ladies said that he did have a liberal sprinkling of amber fluid after the big money win.

“I am sure he got a lift home in the hotel courtesy bus,” one of the lasses told Spy.

The Vibe Roadhouse in Coolgardie.

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42 READER RIGS

FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Reader Rigs proudly supported by

#PicOfThe Month

Congratulations to Kev Cameron, who has won a $500 Shell Coles Express Gift Card for this great shot, snapped while loading barley near Boree Creek, NSW.

Share your truck pics to win with Shell Rimula

SHELL Rimula has partnered with Big Rigs in a big way – so there’s even more reasons to send in your best truck shots.

Each month, the Big Rigs team will choose a #PicOfTheMonth, with the lucky winner receiving a $500 Shell Coles Express Gift Card.

Keep an eye out for our regular posts on the Big Rigs National Road Transport Newspaper Facebook page, calling

for your best truck photos and add yours in the comments, or email them to editor@bigrigs. com.au.

Don’t forget to include a brief note about the truck and where the photo was taken.

We’ll feature some of the best photos in each edition of Big Rigs Newspaper, with one winner announced each month.

Keep those amazing truck pics coming!

Ezekiel Ziggy Clifford makes a stop for a mandatory rest break somewhere between Augathella and Tambo in Queensland.

Mick Killeen shared this ripper shot of a Willow’s Bitumen Haulage triple, with Uluru as the backdrop.

A great shot of the 2016 Western Star Jason Pin drives for Zig Zag Trucking.

Yet another ripper shot from Tom Charlton of this Emerald Carrying Company rig, washed, with tyre shine applied and ready to go.

Brody Brazel snapped this great shot while watching an afternoon storm roll past at Mungindi, Queensland.

Nicholas Dolan captured this incredible shot while heading southbound towards Adelaide.

READER RIGS 43

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023

When the going gets tough, truckies keep everyone going

Rhianna Harker at Harker Haulage shared this ripper photo, snapped by Matt Bryan in the Northern Territory.

Valley Express shared this great pic of their driver Dom in the Western Star moving demountables.

Another great shot from Shane Whenan, while out along the Strzelecki Track.

Sam Dix shared this great shot, snapped at the depot in Laverton.

Brendan Nicholas shared this pic, towing the boss’ trailer from Adelaide to Nhill to change over with him.

Shaun Payne shared this awesome pic of a “coupla big green ones”, PHATK2 and PHAT90, heading northbound at Nerong.

Now that’s a mighty big load. James Brown snapped this shot while southbound out of Weipa, headed to Mackay over 600 kilometres of dirt. “She’s not just a Pavement Prowler!”

44 EVENTS

FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Lock these major industry dates in your events diary convoy, with trucks meeting at White Hill. Each truck will wear a banner and head down the hill towards the monument, where they will line up and toot their air horn ahead of the service that will take place at 11am.

Darren ‘Mork’ Cartner and Leanne Prince with the Brisbane Convoy for Kids stand at the Brisbane Truck Show.

of the crucial intersection of environmental sustainability, waste management and regulatory compliance, via a tremendous line-up of speakers.

The White Hill Truck Drivers’ Memorial, SA.

HERE’S a look at some of the upcoming trucking events to mark in your diary.

OCTOBER

Urana Vintage Machinery Rally and Truck Show October 14-15 Urana Sportsground, NSW nhma.com.au The Urana Vintage Machinery Rally and Truck Show kicks off with a Vintage Tractor Trek leaving Victoria Park at 9am.

Expect a host of vintage engines and tractors on display, as well as a vintage tractor pull, truck show, Show ‘n’ Shine, and hospital fete. Night entertainment will be provided by Smokey & The Bandit. Entry is $5 for adults and free for children under 16, and there’s also free camping and showers all weekend. Cabins and powered sites will be available across the road at the Urana Caravan Park.

Technology & Maintenance Conference October 16-18 Docklands, Melbourne, VIC new.truck.net.au/tmc The Technology & Maintenance Conference (TMC) in-person event is back after four years. The event aims to bring new ideas, expert advice, and strategies to help transport operators save thousands of dollars through improved maintenance and purchasing strategies. The TMC program committee is seeking expressions of interest from people to propose sessions, workshops

or to be part of a panel at TMC 2023. The program will cover topics including technology, safety, productivity, environment, costs and industry careers. Registrations to be launched soon.

VTA Alternative Fuels Summit October 19 Melbourne, VIC vta.com.au Now in its second year, the event will feature a broad array of experts and policymakers to explore how the transport, freight and logistics industry can embrace alternative fuels while also meeting the growing freight needs of the nation.

VWMA Industry Breakfast October 25 Melbourne, VIC vwma.com.au Held in conjunction with Waste Expo 2023, the breakfast will deliver an exploration

Convoy for Kids Sydney October 29 Clarendon, NSW convoyforkids.com.au Starting at the Sydney Dragway, the convoy will make its way to the Hawkesbury Showground in Clarendon for a day filled with fun and festivities for the whole family.

The event will raise funds for the NETS Ambulance Service.

Mullumbimby Truck Show November 11 Mullumbimby Showground, NSW mullumbimbyshow.org.au Held in conjunction with the annual Mullumbimby Agricultural Show, the Mullumbimby Truck Show will feature a truck parade through town to the showgrounds at 11am.

There will also be a host of activities on offer for all the family, including sideshow alley, rides, food vans, full bar facilities and live music, as well as horse and cattle events. Truck registrations open from 9am at the Mullumbimby Industrial Estate off Manns Rd. Goulburn Convoy for Kids & Carnival Day November 11 Goulburn Showgrounds, NSW convoyforkidsgoulburn. com.au A jam-packed day of fun for the whole family at Goul-

burn Showground, Braidwood Road. On the day there will be a huge array of trucks on display following the convoy, free carnival rides, entertainment galore including the return of Bluey and Bingo, activities and interactive games for the kids plus much more. A variety of food and refreshment stations will be available. Entry for kids is free. The Convoy for Kids Goulburn charity provides financial assistance to local families who have a child living with a permanent disability, special need, cancer or terminal illness.

Bathurst Showground, NSW bathursttruckshow.com.au Featuring over 200 market stalls, food stalls, live entertainment and kids’ rides.

Registration $55 per category.

Public entry $5, children under 12 free. Held in conjunction with the annual Bathurst Swap Meet Car & Bike Show.

Gates open 9am to 4pm.

For registration and further details email info@ bathursttruckshow.com.au or phone Debbie on 0407 489 634, Haylie on 0438 316 150 or see the website and/or Facebook page.

East Gippsland Heritage Truck Display November 18-19 Maffra, VIC facebook.com/gippslandvehiclecollection Held at the Maffra Recreation Grounds on Newry Road, the East Gippsland Heritage Truck Display is open to all trucks of any age, reflecting the history of transport in Australia.

There’ll also be live music, catering and kids’ entertainment, including a jumping castle and model trucks. Free camping is also available for exhibitors.

Illawarra Convoy November 19 Illawarra, NSW illawarraconvoy.com.au Touted as the largest truck and motorbike convoy in the Southern Hemisphere, the Illawarra Convoy raises funds for individuals and families affected by potentially life-threatening medical conditions, together with charities that work with these people, and local hospitals. Last year’s event raised over $2 million.

Dane Ballinger Memorial November 18

Have you got an event you’d like included in the next Save the Date? Email all the details to editor@bigrigs.com.au.

NOVEMBER

Brisbane Convoy for Kids November 4 Brisbane, QLD brisbaneconvoyforkids.com. au Following a successful 2022 event, planning is already underway to make the 2023 Brisbane Convoy for Kids even bigger and better. Along with the main convoy, there will be a truck show, family fun and entertainment, and an evening fireworks display.

White Hill Truck Drivers Memorial Service and Convoy November 4 Murray Bridge, SA facebook.com/White HillTruckDriversMemorial Honouring truck drivers who have lost their lives, the White Hill Truck Drivers Memorial now has over 100 names. This special day will begin with a

G&D Richard’s Transport at Mullumbimby Truck Show in 2022.

One of the rigs on show from the popular Dane Ballinger fleet. (Photo: Brett Pozza).

A glimpse of the fun at the Illawarra Convoy last year.

EVENTS 45

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023

Blue Oval brigade in Urana OVER ITS NEAR R SSOCI TION IT T TR NS ORT SC N IN AUSTRALIA, FORD ESTABLISHED ITSELF S L R IT RI T OF O LS THAT ENDEARED T S L S TO O N R RI RS N L RG FLEET OWNERS ALIKE.”

Ford is the feature brand in 2023 but all makes are welcome at Urana.

BY DAVID VILE

SINCE being founded by Henry Ford in 1903, the Ford Motor Company has become one of the world’s largest vehicle manufacturers, with the famous ‘Blue Oval’ one of the most easily recognised logos globally.

With production of vehicles kicking off here in Australia in 1925 in a converted wool store in Geelong, heavy vehicles were soon part of the growing Ford presence in Australia, with Ford trucks being manufactured locally up until 1998.

The heavy truck heritage of Ford in Australia will be

celebrated at the annual Urana Vintage Machinery Rally and Truck Show which will be held across the weekend of October 14-15 at Victoria Park in Urana, NSW. With the show having been a popular destination for both historic and modern trucks for over 20 years, brands such as White, International and most recently in 2022 Mercedes Benz, have all had their turn as the ‘feature brand’, and no doubt the extensive Ford truck range will be well represented as the star attraction this year.

Over its near 70-year association with the heavy transport scene in Australia, Ford

established itself as a key player, with a variety of models that endeared themselves to owner-drivers and large fleet owners alike.

From the Jailbar model of the 1940s through to the F-8000 of the 1960s the Ford product line was highly regarded. The 1970s and 1980s were a golden period for Ford with truck assembly commencing at Broadmeadows in 1971 and later that decade the debut of a model which became legendary in Australia – the Louisville.

From its early incarnations through to the highend LTL9000 launched in the 1980s, the Louisville was

a popular choice for many – with a total of 15,171 Louisville trucks built between 1975 and 1998.

With the sale of the Ford truck division globally to Daimler in 1997, and the Ford branding replaced with the Sterling nameplate, an era ended, with the Sterling brand itself being discontinued in 2008.

Nonetheless, the Ford brand lives on today, with a number of trucks still to be found working or having become restoration projects for those wanting to maintain the company’s heritage, and this will be celebrated at Urana this year.

This year’s event will see a

range of activities across both days, featuring a show-andshine on the Sunday, with prizes to be given out across a number of categories, with all brands of truck welcomed.

Free camping with toilets and showers is available for exhibitors and a range of market stalls and food options including breakfast will be available for show goers.

Families are also well catered for with a range of free children’s activities. Saturday night will also feature a drivein theatre night with a showing of the classic ‘Smokey

and the Bandit’ which will no-doubt be well received.

Located in the Riverina region in NSW, Urana is ideally situated within close proximity to major transport routes such as the Hume and Sturt Highways, along with the larger regional centres such as Wagga Wagga and Albury and is easily accessible.

Admission is a very reasonable $5 for adults with kids under-16 and exhibitors free.

For more information, search for Urana Vintage Machinery Club on Facebook.

The Ford Louisville was a popular choice for many operators for over two decades.

Download our new catalogue for our latest specials

46 DEALER NEWS

FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

RDO acquires Inland Truck Centres in regional NSW

RDO Australia Group has successfully completed the acquisition of the Inland Truck Centres business that provides sales and aftersales support to Kenworth and DAF customers in Dubbo, Griffith, Orange and Wagga Wagga.

Inland Truck Centres was originally founded in 1968 by Peter Swane as a machinery dealer in Warren, NSW, the company expanded to Dubbo in 1970 offering second hand trucks to customers, as well as farm equipment and rural products.

Peter Swane Machinery was appointed as a Kenworth dealer in 1975 with trucks becoming the core focus.

After working in the business for several years, Cliff Swane (Peter’s son) was promoted to managing director

in 1993 and has guided the company with a strong dedication to the PACCAR truck and parts brands, and Cummins aftersales support.

In 2001 the company changed its trading name to Inland Truck Centres to better reflect the expansion of the business into the NSW Riverina region and its core focus of truck sales and support.

PACCAR Australia thanked Cliff and his family for their vision, dedication and support for Kenworth and DAF customers over the past 48 years.

Damian Smethurst, managing director of PACCAR Australia, praised Cliff and Veramae Swane for their leadership of Inland Truck Centres over the past 30 years.

“Cliff Swane is a legend of the Australian transport indus-

try. He has dedicated his career to servicing the NSW Riverina region, his community, and our brands. The PACCAR Dealer network is stronger because of Cliff’s contribution and dedication,” he said.

“RDO will continue to build upon this legacy. RDO is led by locals who understand our farming and construction sectors. RDO is a world class partner and has PACCAR’s full support. We warmly welcome the RDO team and look forward to their contribution.”

RDO Australia Group, part of RDO International, is a family-owned business that owns and operates RDO Equipment and Vermeer Australia dealerships across 29 Australian locations spanning from Kununurra in Western Australia through

New owner for FRM Hino HINO Australia has announced Tasmanian automotive professional Edward Jones as the new owner of FRM Hino.

Hino has three dealerships in Tasmania, located in Launceston, Hobart and Devonport.

Jones, who was formerly chief operating officer and a director of Local Motor Group, said he is excited to return his roots in the showroom.

“After an 18-year career in passenger cars, including as a former Toyota Dealer Principal, I’m excited to join and lead the FRM team and join the Hino brand.

“The future is really exciting for FRM Hino – we have an excellent team in place that will continue to deliver exceptional levels of service to our customers.

“For me, as a born and bred Tasmanian, this is a chance to be a part of a culture and team that is committed to its local community.”

He added: “Over the last seven years, the former owners of FRM Hino relocated all

three FRM branches in Hobart, Launceston and Devonport to new and improved premises, and we still have exciting opportunities ahead.”

Richard Emery, vice president of Brand and Franchise Development for Hino Australia, welcomed Jones to the team.

“We are thrilled to welcome Edward, who brings a wealth of experience and professionalism to the Hino team,” he said.

“Tasmania remains an important market for Hino, with tourism, mining, agriculture and other primary industries presenting opportunities within the light, medium and heavy-duty segments.

“I would also like to pay tribute to former managing director David Mills and the other former owners of the business for their dedication and passion to the Hino brand and business over the last 14 years.”

Hino Australia has welcomed experienced Tasmanian automotive professional Edward Jones as the new owner of FRM Hino.

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Phil Canning and Cliff Swane.

to the Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.

Phil Canning, president

and CEO of RDO Equipment, added, “I am excited to welcome Inland Truck Centres to the RDO family and to join PACCAR in their ded-

ication to leading brands and the Australians who rely upon them.

“Our businesses share a commitment to innovation, industry advocacy, and providing the highest level of support to customers who are performing critical nation-building work. RDO recognises Inland Truck Centres as a robust, quality business defined by great people, world class products and visionary leadership, and we look forward to building upon this legacy over time.

“Inland Truck Centres customers will continue to see the familiar Inland Truck Centres team at all its locations, and will be further supported by the expertise and resources of RDO Equipment’s global network.”

Award winner takes charge in Shepparton and ACT AN award-winning Daimler Truck dealership group will soon serve customers in Shepparton, Victoria, and the Australian Capital Territory.

Tristar Truck and Bus will open Daimler Trucks Shepparton and Daimler Trucks Canberra later this year, selling Mercedes-Benz Trucks, Freightliner and Fuso trucks and buses.

The family-owned organisation, headed up by David Warren, currently operates Daimler Trucks Albury and Daimler Trucks Wagga Wagga, delivering outstanding customer service.

Daimler Trucks Albury’s commitment to its customers was recognised earlier this year when Warren was presented with the prestigious 2022 Daimler Truck Dealer of the Year award.

Daimler Truck Australia Pacific president and CEO, Daniel Whitehead, is excited that Tristar Truck and Bus will soon cover two additional regions.

The family-owned organisation is headed up by David Warren.

“Our Albury and Wagga Wagga customers give us so much positive feedback about how David and his team go out of their way to keep them moving,” Whitehead says.

“We are delighted that David and his team will be able to bring this kind of customer support to our Daimler Truck customers in these critical areas of Shepparton and the ACT.” Warren says the team at Tristar Truck and Bus is looking forward to opening the two new locations.

“We are really excited about

serving Daimler Truck customers of the greater Shepparton region and the Australian Capital Territory,” he says. “They are both really important freight regions and we are determined to introduce the excellent customer service that we strive to deliver every day at our Albury and Wagga Wagga locations.”

Daimler Trucks Albury represents a remarkable success story, having thrived since the team took hold of the reins in April 2020, along with the Daimler Trucks Wagga Wagga dealership.

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48 NEWS

FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

No time to waste for truck ADELAIDE Liquid Waste Solutions have expanded their fleet with a star vacuum truck, the new Isuzu twin-steer FYH 300-350.

The FYH has the capacity for a 16,000-litre tank, which makes it the truck with the biggest tank in their fleet for collecting liquid waste anywhere in Adelaide.

Co-owners of Adelaide Liquid Waste Solutions, Ben

Harris and Suzanne Magro, said they are fortunate to have the truck, which has found itself on the job every day since collection.

“The reason we went for that size truck is we do a lot of bulk sewer vacuum tanking from sites such as building developments that haven’t yet connected to the sewer mains,” Harris explained.

“We would have been

Adelaide Liquid Waste Solutions’ Twin-Steer FYH 300-350.

struggling without it as we have a very busy period ahead.

From left to right, co-directors Ben Harris and Suzanne Magro, and operations manager Armando Torres.

“It’s a funny industry and a bit erratic, but you just have to roll with it!”

Adelaide Liquid Waste Solutions have rotational teams working around the clock, as the waste industry is one that never sleeps.

“With our busy schedule we now have one dedicated driver for each truck, and an extra driver which covers holidays and personal leave or if two drivers are needed on a job,” said Magro.

“Having the right number of staff is so important as night shift jobs can’t get neglected, so we like to have that coverage.

“We don’t want to say ‘no’ to our customers when they need us.”

Speaking of their service and maintenance approach, Harris confirmed that the efficiency and reliability of the fleet was a critical ingredient to business success.

“We get the trucks serviced regularly, so they’re

always very well maintained and presented,” he said.

“North East Isuzu are only 20 minutes away, so if we need something, we can just go down and grab it.

The staff are really good at what they do, and the sales team have been amazing and have made the process seamless.”

NOW in its 27th year, Isuzu Australia’s Truck of the Year competition is legendary in its longevity and engagement of truckies, tradies and local businesses who proudly put their trucks on display.

The annual search for the Grand Prize Winner is entering final stages for the year, with three monthly prize winners still to be announced before entry to the competition closes on November 24 2023.

Each of the competition’s 10 monthly winners receives a generous Isuzu merchandise prize pack and the opportunity to be named ‘King’ of their respective Isuzu truck series, with a $1000 Visa cash card award-

ty for recognition on a national stage through their hardworking trucks and also celebrate their achievements at the same time.

“The competition has been running continuously for almost three decades, making it the longest running truck appreciation competition of its kind in Australia.”

Head of sales Craig White said there was still time for new truck owners and existing customers to put their best truck forward in 2023.

“This can be done online, or our dealer network can assist with this in person—indeed, they play an important role in promoting the competition to

truck owners throughout the year, giving a feel for the Isuzu customer experience along with some fun and community spirit,” White said.

“And we all know a bit of healthy competition is great for business!”

Entering the competition is as simple as visiting isuzu.com. au and following the prompts on the Truck of the Year landing page. The form will ask for a photo of the applicant’s Isuzu truck and a short caption about how it is fit for their business purpose. Applicants who add further description and enthusiasm for the product are likely to catch the attention of the judging panel.

Monthly winners are announced on Isuzu Australia’s social media and the Isuzu Trucks Content Hub, with

each of these winners in with a chance to take out a Series Prize or the Grand Prize as Truck of the Year.

Search heats up for Isuzu Australia’s Truck of the Year ed to each. These series ‘Kings’ then go in the running for the Grand Prize—a $6000 Visa cash card.

Isuzu Australia’s marketing and advertising Manager Sam Gangemi said the competition was all about celebrating and connecting truck owners, while also giving the brand the opportunity to give back to loyal customers.

“This year we have seen entries from builders and labourers, plumbers and electricians, through to arborists, waste recyclers, and even a handful of recreational Isuzu truck owners,” Gangemi commented.

“We are very pleased to give Isuzu customers the opportuni-

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FEATURE 49

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023

Bigger truck opens doors

The new truck makes light work of the massive towers.

SPECIALISING in assembling radio and communications towers in remote areas across the country, Australian Radio Towers (ART) recently upgraded to a bigger truck to serve its growing needs.

As the name suggests, ART is in the business of assembling radio and communications towers.

“We’re unique in our game, providing a turnkey solution for guide masts and towers that covers design, manufacture, supply, transport and install… there’s not too many companies that will do all of that in-house,” said ART’s Chris Ratcliff.

Based in Murwillumbah in Northern New South Wales, with a few strategically placed depots across the country and a warehouse in Victoria, ART has customers all over Australia and into the Pacific Islands.

“Australian Radio Towers has grown from a small company that had six or seven people working for it to what it is today with over 140 people on staff,” Ratcliff said.

As the company has grown, so too did the need for a bigger truck. An ageing crane truck purchased in 2017 had put in the hard yards but was ready for retirement, so ART purchased an Isuzu FYJ 300350 twin-steer, fitted out with a high-powered PK 14402EH Palfinger crane, which assists to construct towers that can span up to 160m high.

Paired with a 6.8m long twin-axle dog trailer, which is the exact same height as the FYJ’s tray, it makes for an impressive rig.

The massive towers ART produces, transports and installs are used in environmental monitoring systems, meteorological studies, the renewable energy sector, and of course, communications for industries such as mining, defence and emergency services.

Before the Covid pandemic, ART focused on temporary radio towers at music festivals and events, but with events temporarily put on hold, the business shifted its focus by introducing permanent radio towers for mobile and Wi-Fi communications.

However, this is only a part of the ART offering, and the point of difference lies in the team’s end-to-end expertise: from drafting and design of a wide range of products such as masts and towers, standalone power units and rapid-deploy solutions, through to their manufacture and supply, transport and installation.

They turned to the team at Brisbane Isuzu to organise a fresh set of wheels and struck up a strong relationship with sales representative Julian Walker from the Archerfield dealership.

“We went with the FYJ twin steer and bogie axle, with a tandem trailer because that setup suits what we do,”

The FYJ 300-350 8x4 is more than capable of carrying the powerful Palfinger crane plus a load on the tray and dog trailer.

said Ratcliff. “It gives the option to take the truck to site, or we can take the truck and trailer and leave the trailer out on the road if we need to – it just gives us versatility.”

Ratcliff said the FYJ twin steer model was specifically chosen for its weight bearing and load sharing advantages.

With its four axles, the FYJ provides maximum support and load distribution for the crane, which needs to lift five tons or more at close range and just under a ton at a range of 17m.

Featuring a Gross Vehicle Mass of 30,000kg (28,000kg on-road legal limit) and a Gross Combined Mass of 45,000kg, the FYJ 300-350 8×4 is more than capable of safely carrying the powerful Palfinger crane behind the cab, plus a load on the tray and dog trailer.

It offers more grunt than ART really needs but happens is the perfect length when combined with their trailer for coming under a very specific 19m length restriction.

“We carry equipment that takes up a lot of space, but not a lot of weight,” Ratcliff explained.

“As you can imagine, a radio tower takes up a fair bit of room, but it doesn’t have a lot of weight because it’s got to be streamlined and efficient to be able to go up to 16m in the air.

“The setup can be a bit

more awkward to get around tight corners, but it gives us more carrying capacity and with the front mounted crane, allows load sharing over the twin axles at the front.

“One of the other reasons that we decided on this model was that we were advised by our mechanics to avoid AdBlue and burn cycle engines,” he continued.

“This truck has a simple DOC exhaust system to meet emissions requirements, which tends to be more reliable… it’s not likely to slow

down on the side of the road and hold us up.”

This refers to the FYJ’s Euro V compliant emissions control system, which features cooled EGR with exhaust Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) eliminating the need for other fuel additives.

The team has been flat chat with their new crane truck and trailer combination, with productivity gains coupled with the ability to take on more jobs than was previously possible.

The truck currently has

a weekly run from North Queensland to the bottom end of New South Wales, with additional jobs located as far as Mount Walsh near Rockhampton.

“The team love the inside of the cab on the FYJ, it’s modern, luxurious and everything works so well. It’s perfect for us,” Ratcliff added.

“It has already done over 20,000km since we picked it up in early 2023 and it hasn’t let us down yet.

“That’s the reliability we are looking for.”

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50 SPONSORED CONTENT

FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Airtec expands its NSW presence at perfect time

AIRTEC Corporation, a leading supplier and manufacturer of digital truck scales and inflation systems, has recently expanded their representation to NSW. This brings Airtec closer to the action in one of Australia’s busiest trucking states, providing current and future clients with the person-to-person contact previously missing from the Airtec experience.

Originally based in Adelaide and Noosa in Queensland, Airtec has always known that the Greater NSW region plays a major role in Australia’s Heavy Vehicle industry. The launch of their newest product – The AXS Smart OBM – has made 2023 the perfect time to step into the market.

“We want to better support our clients and the industry at large as legislation is put in place. We know the transition to Smart OBM can be intense for operators and we want to make our client’s lives easier,” said Airtec operations manager Jake Gillingham.

The man making lives easier is Peter Agius, Airtec’s business development manager.

Airtec’s new BDM Peter Agius with Jacinta Lane at AgQuip 2023.

Despite his white collar job title, Agius isn’t afraid of the dust and grease associated with life on the road. A self-confessed obsessive prob-

lem solver, Agius, along with the team based in Noosa and Adelaide, has the knowledge to troubleshoot and find solutions that work with each cus-

Peter Aguis meeting local transport operators at AgQuip 2023.

tomer’s unique circumstances.

Airtec’s expansion is timely in the lead up to 2024’s on board mass compliance deadline for NSW. Many operators

are requiring assistance and assurance in their Smart OBM decisions. The great news is that if you’re a transport operator in NSW, it’s now easier

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than ever to connect with your local Airtec representative and orgainse a custom mass management system.

Having Agius servicing the state of NSW has also allowed Airtec to increase their visibility at regional field days, which are a great avenue to connect with customers. Already Agius has attended more NSW based trade shows compared to previous years. Namely Ag Quip and Henty Machinery Field Days. Not to mention the tireless hours spent on the road visiting Airtec’s most regional clients.

“Attending Field Days has allowed me to be face-to-face with Australia’s great primary producers and their transport partners. For those who deliver from farm gates to the consumer, we (Airtec) are playing our part to do that with safety and efficiency,” explained Agius.

If you’re an operator, fleet manager or owner/driver in NSW and are looking for OBM support, you should be talking to Peter Agius!

For more information, please call 0458 318 452 or email smartobm@airtecaus tralia.com.au.

SPONSORED CONTENT TELEMATICS 51

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023

This couple is onto a winner

IT’S been an exciting year for young couple Mitchell Shearsmith, 25, and Jemma Spralja, 22, who along with launching their own transport business M&J S Haulage in April were also named the lucky winners of WHG’s FleetCAM AI video telematics system during a Brisbane Truck Show promotion.

Both MC-licenced, their business M&J S Haulage has been about two and a half years in the making, with their dream of going out on their own coming to fruition after getting their 2003 Mack Superliner ready for work and securing a contract with a civil construction company, who they’ve been working with for the past six months.

Based in Cairns, M&J S Haulage specialises in the transport of heavy machinery and delivery of bulk materials Queensland wide, including remote Cape York, Central Queensland and Gulf communities. “With this civil contractor, they have a lot of their own gear and a diverse client base that they service. We contract in to work alongside the haulage operator and move the machines and building materials around Queensland for them.

Mitch has just headed out to Cloncurry this week to pick up a crushing plant while I organise parts in town for our next scheduled maintenance day, before that we were up at Archer River,” explained Spralja.

Jemma Spralja and Mitchell Shearsmith run Cairns-based M&J S Haulage.

“We also do special trips into Palmer River, which is a 90km stretch of rolling hills on the dirt just past the Maytown ruins, so you need to be quite skilled to bring gear in there, especially with the weight we carry on the back.”

While Spralja secured her MC licence last month in September, Shearsmith has extensive road train experience. He learnt from his late father, who drove trucks for decades.

“Mitch had a lot of mentoring through his dad growing up, shadowing him in the shed while they tinkered away”, Spralja said.

Shearsmith has a love for the industry, trucking and the open road, a passion inherited from his father, with an ambition that

drove the couple to build M&J S Haulage.

“Through my childhood of being around dad with cars and trucks, I decided that this is the industry that I wanted to make my career in. I went out and became a diesel fitter and earned my MC licence by the time I was 21. After a few hard years of work and dedication, my partner Jem and I now have our own truck, and haul machinery here in Cairns. If it wasn’t for dad, I definitely wouldn’t be swinging spanners or driving our lorry today,” Shearsmith explained.

Spralja added, “It’s good having that mechanical background too, as not only can he drive the trucks, he can also fix them. It’s as economical as you can get in this industry.

The FleetCAM system has been installed on the couple’s 2003 Mack Superliner.

“Mitch is very patient and multi-skilled. While I offside and do a lot of the behind-thescenes work, so we make a great team. We wouldn’t be where we are today without the hours we put in.”

Prior to starting M&J S Haulage, the couple spent time working at the mines last year.

Shearsmith as a mechanic, driver and supervisor, while Spralja worked alongside in administration and parts interpreting for the haulage operation.

“It was while we were out there that this opportunity came about. So, we took the leap and began the journey of working for ourselves,” said Spralja.

“It was a good opportunity to get our foot in the door. This is a great starting point for us for

sure. We enjoy the versatility of it too, there’s always something different to pick up and a new challenge waiting for us around the corner. Not to mention the scenery we get to see and the experiences we share through our time on the road together.”

They were both able to upskill after successfully applying for the Business Basics government grant, which Spralja used to get her MC licence and machinery tickets, and Shearsmith used to complete a Dangerous Goods course.

Now, having the FleetCAM system fitted to their truck has been a great asset. “We’ve had it in for the past 3-4 months now and it works great. It’s a handy insurance device if we were to get into any mischief on the

roads,” explained Spralja.

“The camera records continuously as long as the key is in the ignition, and if anything happens and we do have a collision – if someone cuts us off or we hit an animal – we have that evidence.”

The system fitted to their Superliner includes both a forward-facing camera and a camera facing the driver, with footage all easily accessible via an online portal.

“When we went to the Brisbane Truck Show in May, on a whim I thought I’d just scan the code and put my name in the draw for the WHG competition. A couple of days later I got a call from the WHG team advising we won their promotional camera! And it’s been working really well for us. FleetCAM’s online portal is easy to use. The WHG technician who fitted it was knowledgeable and meticulous, and the team at WHG are very helpful,” said Spralja.

“As part of the prize, we have a full year subscription to the online portal [FleetCAM vision] for free, and after we succeed those 12 months we’ll definitely continue.”

Look out for Mitchell and Jemma as they traverse the vast Aussie landscapes, paving the roads with their aspirations and dreams! Find out more about M&J S Haulage at mandjshaulage.com.au; visit FleetCAM. com.au or call 1800 474 387.

52 SPONSORED CONTENT

FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Prime movers come clean

Aussie’s design and production teams at the Castle Hill factory take pride in producing an outstanding pressure cleaner that’s a world beater.

Not only is a Scud 351 powerful, but it drastically cuts cleaning time too.

THE team at Australian Pump Industries has been blown away with the response from Big Rigs operators who have contacted us as a result of reading the story on how truck cleaning time can be slashed.

By swapping from using an under-performing, low performance pressure washer to a professional machine that delivers real cleaning whack, one operator reported impressive reductions in the time taken to clean their prime mover.

Many big rig operators clean their prime movers once a week on the weekend.

One owner reported that it can take up to five hours to do the job properly. His preference was to clean the rig himself so he could identify any maintenance or wear issues early.

By upgrading to a professional pressure washer, like the Aussie Scud 351 ‘Truck Wash Special’ cleaning times can be significantly reduced. This purpose designed machine delivers up to 21 lpm flow combined with a pressure of 2600 psi.

That combination of pressure and flow together is ideal for shifting caked on mud and grime fast.

The Aussie Scud 351 pressure washer can come fitted with an optional stainless steel reel with 30 metres of high pressure hose. The long hose length enables operators to reach around the rig without moving the blaster. The reel not only makes it convenient to store the hose but reduces wear on the hose and reduces trip hazards.

22 days saved!

“That operator reported back that he now takes only 2-2.5 hours to clean his truck. That’s a saving of about 156 hours over a year, that’s 22 days!” said Aussie Pump’s chief engineer John Hales.

Not only is a Scud 351 powerful, but by matching it with labour saving accessories, times can be cut even further. A two-metre lance enables operators to clean the top of the rig without the need for a ladder. A foaming

GET THE EATON LUBE INTO YOUR AXLES! Eaton 80W-140 synthetic gear lubricant is an API GL-5 extreme pressure lubricant designed to promote longer gear life and better operating economy, thus improving fuel economy in heavy, mid and light-duty applications.

It is formulated using synthetic base stock, which has a high viscosity index and an exceptionally low pour point.

lance fitted to the gun applies the degreaser and detergent. The high pressure lance is then used to rinse off the detergent. A turbo lance that delivers a rotating pin jet can be used to blast off any caked on dirt.

Aussie Pumps proudly makes the Scud series of professional pressure cleaners at their Castle Hill factory on the outskirts of Sydney. The design team have developed a unique, ergonomic stainless steel frame for the Scud that is balanced and easy to manoeuvre.

The series features top quality Bertolini triplex pumps mounted on Honda 13hp petrol engines with 2:1 reduction gearboxes. This means the pumps run at half the speed of the engines, leading to longer pump life.

The blaster is fitted with an essential Aussie Safety Protection kit that ensures the pump is protected from extended bypass running.

The Aussie Scud range is made to last and to be serviced with wearing parts

THAT OPERATOR REPORTED BACK THAT HE NOW TAKES ONLY O RS TO CL N IS TR C T T S S ING OF O T O RS O R R T TS S JOHN HALES

readily available. The Bertolini pump comes with a fouryear warranty and the engine is covered by Honda’s international three-year warranty.

“It’s a pleasure to be able to work on producing quality machines that you know users are going to enjoy operating and that will last for years,” said Hales.

“Market feedback is a real confirmation that what we are doing is worthwhile and appreciated,” he said.

Further information on the Aussie Scud range is available from aussiepumps. com.au or call 02 8865 3500.

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SPONSORED CONTENT KEEP IT COOL 53

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023

Keep it cool with Webasto

USING a parking cooler in your truck cabin can bring enormous benefits. By regulating the temperature and humidity during rest and sleep stops, drivers can rest and re-

cover optimally, leading to increased alertness and safety while driving. Moreover, it reduces operating costs by not running the engine unnecessarily, which reduces wear and

The Cool Split 20 is available in 12- or 24-volt, with a cooling capacity of 2kW.

harmful emissions, and saves fuel costs. Overall, a parking cooler is a win-win solution for driver safety, finances, and the environment.

Webasto has been providing comfort solutions for the bus and truck market since 1965, and they have an impressive truck portfolio with high-quality products that are perfect for the harsh Australian summer.

They offer a range of parking coolers suitable for most applications, with the Fresco 3000 being a 12- or 24-volt, 950watt, DC-powered split system air-conditioning unit. It comprises a condenser mounted on the external rear wall of the cabin and an evaporator installed on the interior cabin wall, allowing maximum flexibility in positioning the separate components. Its lightweight, low profile design means it’s suitable for most applications without compromising fuel load or chassis space.

Webasto’s newest offering is the Cool Top RTE 16, an effective, lightweight, 24-volt electric parking cooler. The powerful 1.6Kw rooftop air conditioning system is available with a wide choice of specific truck model mounting kits, allowing easy installation via the vehicle’s roof hatch. The system is controlled using a digital display panel and/or a handy remote control unit, and it offers

automatic temperature control and individual temperature and fan speed adjustments. It also provides an adjustable low battery voltage cut-off to ensure that the engine will always start.

The Cool Split 20 is available in 12- or 24-volt, with a cooling capacity of 2kW. It is available with a rear or rooftop-mounted condenser, with the evaporator installed on the interior cabin wall.

The Cool Split 20 features a programmable control panel, multifunction infrared remote control, a four-speed fan with two adjustable/closable vents, and safety features that include low pressure/thermal/tilt/HV earth leakage and low battery voltage protection. This system will suit most applications without compressing the roof hatch.

Webasto also offers isotherm compressor fridges for the truck market, ranging in size and style from a 16L and 30L drawer fridge/freezer up to a 49L upright refrigerator. These fridges help to keep drinks and food as fresh as possible while on the road.

Webasto products are available Australia-wide through their authorised truck sales and service dealer network, and all Webasto products are covered by a two-year warranty.

For more details, go to webas to.com or call 1800 244 494.

The Fresco 3000 is a 12- or 24-volt, 950-watt, DC-powered split system air-conditioning unit.

Webasto offers isotherm compressor fridges, ranging in size and style.

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Wagga Car Radio 379 Edward St Wagga Wagga 2650 02 6925 6111

Mavin Truck Centre 5 Woolford Cres Kempsey 2440 02 6562 6211

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54 SPONSORED CONTENT KEEP IT COOL

FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Truck Art: specialists in truck heating and cooling

TRUCK Art has been involved in sleeper cab heating and cooling for over 15 years and we pride ourselves on helping the heavy vehicle industry with a wide range of fatigue management solutions to suit everyone’s different needs.

In recent years there has been an increase in regulation on driving hours and fatigue management, requiring stricter recording of logged and managed driving hours. Therefore, when it

comes time to sleep it is of the upmost importance that drivers are getting the best sleep they can in the hours they have to ensure that not only the freight on our roads gets to its destination on time but more importantly for the safety of our drivers and other road users.

Truck Art offers a wide range of sleeper cab cooling and heating options, ranging from where it all started with our faithful Evaporative Viesa range, the fleet popular

Kompressor III, diesel-powered EcoWinds, through to our modernised first of its kind, reverse cycle heating and cooling Koolkat.

Our Koolkat is quickly becoming our most popular unit as it is the only reverse cycle unit in Australia with fantastic cooling capacity and low power heating, allowing it to run all night for a full night sleep.

How does this cooling/ heating unit compare to others on the market? With

the way technology is moving towards electric powered air-conditioning it is easy to create an air-conditioner/ heater that cools or heats a cab, but at what cost does that come? Power usage is an important factor and using a lot of power in a very short amount of time means if you want a full night sleep you would need several big batteries or even a generator to power the air-conditioner.

At Truck Art we believe we have found that sweet

The reverse cycle Koolkat is quickly becoming Truck Art’s most popular unit, with fantastic cooling capacity and low power heating.

The diesel-powered EcoWind.

The VIESA Kompressor III offers drivers a fresh and quiet environment in which to rest.

spot with the reverse cycle technology of the Koolkat range for its cooling/heating capacity with a lower power consumption to be able to get that full night sleep at a reasonable cost to the user.

Koolkat has two options: roof mount and wall mount.

Truck Art is located in Wagga, Melbourne and Adelaide but also has the added benefit of having fitters and contractors Australia wide.

Stay tuned as we are currently working on another exciting project at the moment: a brand new diesel-powered unit. Follow Truck Art Wagga socials on Instagram and

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NEWS 55

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023

Coles Express sites to be phased out for new brand

VIVA Energy has launched the Reddy Express brand, which will gradually replace the Coles Express brand across the country and operate alongside the On The Run (OTR) offer as the company rolls out the store conversions.

As part of the acquisition of the Coles Express convenience business in September last year, the convenience stores were to continue to trade under the Coles Express brand on a transitional basis, but over time would carry new store brands.

Under the arrangements agreed with Coles Group, reference to Coles Express will be removed from the sites and replaced over the course of 3.5 years from completion of the acquisition (May 1, 2023), with most rebranded over two years.

Viva Energy is in the process of obtaining regulatory approvals to complete the acquisition of the OTR business (announced in April 2023) which will see the extension of the OTR

offer over time to the convenience stores that support the format.

While some stores will likely move directly to OTR, a large proportion of the network will operate under the Reddy Express brand as Viva Energy rolls out the OTR conversions.

The Reddy Express brand will support and enhance the existing offer, with coffee, snacks and food-to-go.

Customers will continue to have access to existing loyalty programs, including participation in FlyBuys, the 4cpl discount dockets with Coles supermarkets and have access to Coles branded products.

In addition to the convenience offer, the network will continue to carry the Shell brand and sell Shell fuel products under a longterm brand licence agreement through to 2029.

CEO of the Viva Energy Convenience and Mobility business, Jevan Bouzo, says the Reddy Express brand is extremely important to the business, team members and customers.

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Customers at Reddy Express outlets will continue to have access to existing loyalty programs.

“Consistency and familiarity are critical to reassure our customers that they will continue to receive the same great service, offers, loyalty

and rewards as they enjoy today,” Bouzo said.

“The transition of the Coles Express business over to Viva Energy has gone

very well and the rebranding of these sites now to Reddy Express is the next step while we await the approval process of the OTR acquisition.

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“As we announced this year, once approved, OTR will be our leading convenience brand which is planned to be rolled out across the network longer term and represents a worldclass convenience offer matched with high-quality Shell fuels.

Bouzo said the rebranding is an important part of the company’s journey to become an integrated fuel and convenience business.

“We are well on the way and I know our customers are going to love what we have in store for them in the future.”

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FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Transport operator wins gold at business awards

[L-R] Three generations of family members: True Ross-Sawrey, Frances Ross and Alan Ross celebrate their big night.

A FAMILY owned and operated transport business, which was started in 1975 and is now in its third generation, was honoured at the recent Illawarra and South Coast Local Business Awards.

Ross Transport picked up two awards. After first being named the winner in the Outstanding Automotive Services category, the company went on to secure the title as overall winner, taking home the gold trophy for Business of the Year.

The Business of the Year award is presented to the overall winner out of over 30 industry categories.

The company said it was an absolutely incredible night and thanked their incredible staff that keep the business going.

In sharing the news on social media, Ross Transport explained what has been happening within the business: “We have been

working extremely hard in the training and upskilling of our staff by introducing our Taking Transport Into The Future training program where we are training and paying for light vehicle mechanics to become heavy vehicle mechanics and for heavy rigid drivers with minimal experience to become heavy combination and/or multiple combination drivers in our tipper, local or interstate fleet.

“We have put a heavy focus on making our business an equal and diverse business that encourages both men and women, young and older to join our fleet.

To our trainees and trainers that have been involved in this program, a massive congratulations to you all once again as well.

“We are extremely passionate about giving back to our community, last November reaching a total of $1 million donated to the

i98fm Illawarra Convoy since it started, sponsoring football clubs and many other local charities, donating a truck for the day at various events and always trying to help out in any way we can!

“We do not do any of this for the accolades, we do this because we love our business, our industry and our community, however it was extremely humbling to be recognised.”

Ross Transport also thanked its staff, including its administration team, management team, mechanics, truck washers and heavy vehicle drivers.

“We are three generations working in the business. We are a family business and try to do the best we can, especially in the tough times over the last couple of years to the present time. We wouldn’t be anywhere without our incredible staff,” the company said.

Refrigerated transport specialist celebrates milestone BRISBANE-based Eurocold, which builds refrigerated equipment for sale or longterm rental, has taken delivery of its 100th Fuso.

Eurocold CEO Avraam Solomon said the Fuso trucks are a great fit for the Eurocold packages due to their safety, advanced technology and durability.

Fuso models offered through Eurocold include 12and 14-pallet Shogun heavy trucks as well as 515 Canter light trucks.

“Eurocold works with the best suppliers to ensure our customers have access to the highest quality refrigerated transport solutions,” Solomon said.

“Fuso, Carrier and ISOKIT are all leading suppliers in the industry and this benefits our customers.”

Solomon said the Shogun is an excellent model for use

as a large Eurocold refrigerated truck.

“The Shogun is perfect for this application thanks to its full suite of active safety features, its proven reliability and the excellent engine and transmission packages,” he said.

“Customers really do appreciate the strong performance of the Shogun.”

Eurocold views the Canter as a strong base for a compact refrigerated truck.

“The Canter is a good solid truck that is perfect for working in high density urban areas,” Solomon added.

“It is such a user-friendly truck and the active safety features provide a great safety net for our customers.”

Eurocold, which has more than 30 years of research and development experience in the refrigerated transport business, purchased its first Fuso truck through Jon Ham-

ilton at Daimler Trucks Gold Coast in 2020 and was immediately impressed with the quality and customer support.

The Eurocold Shogun package includes high quality signwriting to ensure the truck looks like a customer truck.

Eurocold is the exclusive distributor of ISOKIT Isothermal Solutions temperature controlled bodies and only uses premium carrier fridge technology.

Eurocold continues to expand its footprint across Australia and New Zealand.

Following the launch of a Western Sydney facility in May this year, Eurocold announced investment plans for the next three years.

A $100 million commitment will see the business expand through a wide range of new markets, including New Zealand.

Eurocold CEO Avraam Solomon said the Fuso trucks are a great fit for the Eurocold packages.

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FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Taking a deep dive into gender bias and disparity WOMEN IN TRUCKING LYNDAL DENNY CEO, Women in Trucking Australia

IT’S hardly ground-breaking news that the heavy vehicle driver workforce is overwhelmingly male.

What is ground-breaking however, is the incredible support WiTA’s Commonwealth funded female heavy vehicle driver training and recruitment Foot in the Door (FitD) initiative is receiving from industry employers.

Administered by the NHVR, this program continues its work with RTOs Australia-wide to assess, train, and mentor women into driving roles with progressive employers who recognise gender diversity as a key driver of excellence, innovation and safety.

Initially anticipated to support 50 women – through the generosity and support of em-

ployers foregoing FitD wage and training subsidy support, it’s anticipated the program will now place up to 100 women into trucking careers.

An organisation dedicated to promoting the equal participation of female drivers, WiTA has spent almost fouryears spotlighting a steady flow of role models through the organisation’s hugely popular Facebook page.

They say a picture speaks a thousand words and together – through their posts, female drivers have spoken volumes about their capabilities, skills and resourcefulness in establishing successful careers in one of the most nation’s colourful and challenging vocations.

Followers – female and male have embraced the platform - providing invaluable advice and support - challenging those considering trucking careers to take a closer look.

For years the industry has asked “where are the women?”

Their invisibility was legendary. The answer unfortunately, is not so legendary. Through lived experience women learned employers would look

past them to male applicants they deemed more suited to the role. Occasionally a female driver slipped through the net held up as the token equal-opportunity female employee.

Thankfully, today female drivers are no longer invisible. Women are now beginning to materialise and are on the move seeking to establish trucking careers - and employers are welcoming them with open arms. At this critical point, every industry choice, every footprint and every action makes a difference.

Until now, no comprehensive body of evidence or analysis in terms of female heavy vehicle workforce participation (what women want) if you like - has been compiled. This lack of critical data continues to make the task of tackling the issue of under-employment of female drivers difficult.

On completion of the Foot in the Door pilot mid-2024, the ground-breaking Women in Trucking (WiT) Report will update this scant area of knowledge - bringing together foundation data collected from industry stakeholders and fe-

male drivers - newly licensed and experienced.

WiT Report researchers will also take a deep dive – examining the correlation between gender-bias and the overwhelming gender disparity that continues to define the sector - because our shared future as female drivers in this male-dominated sector can only be written when one set of behaviours and rules applies to all.

Across a series of in-depth semi-structured interviews, researchers will analyse the lived experiences of FitD graduates asking the hard questions: Why do women find it so difficult to enter the industry? What are their experiences with gender bias and harassment?

We will examine the types of work do these women do, their previous vocations, where they live, what licences they hold, their average age and which employers are more (or less) likely to employ them.

The WiT Report will considerably expand Australian female heavy vehicle driver literature - providing greater clarity around the status quo. Ad-

Today female truckies are no longer invisible, like WiTA’s Driver of the Month, MC driver and female jockey Gemma Hogg.

ditionally, it is hoped findings will help inform future policy, opening new conversations on how the sector can better advance work opportunities for women pursuing driving careers.

The key to lasting positive change in terms of industry attitude toward women is to create inclusive work environ-

ments - female friendly workplace cultures shaped by leaders at all levels.

Women know that breaking through the glass bull-bar can be tough. We also know diversity matters. Thankfully the industry now views gender equity is an investment - not a cost – so the future’s definitely looking brighter for all.

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COLUMN 59

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023

Cutting through the red tape

INDUSTRY ADVOCATE WARREN CLARK NatRoad CEO

REGARDLESS of whether you’re an owner-operator, or the boss of a company running a dozen trucks, you must have noticed the increasing volume of red tape affecting everything you do.

It’s not just in road transport but across every sector, and it didn’t just coincide with the arrival of Covid-19 (although anyone operating across state or territory borders at the time did see a skyrocketing increase.)

Red tape has been creeping into every area of business and it’s sucking the life out of productivity.

In their 2020 book “Humanocracy”, researchers Professor Gary Hamel and Michele Zanini identified this trend and made an argument for replacing bureaucracy with “something better”.

The pair define a “humanocracy” as an organisation that is “designed to maximize human contribution”, and their book lays out a blueprint for creating companies that are “as inspired and ingenious

A good example of getting the balance right is the recent news that the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator will update its White List application process.

as the human beings inside them”.

A one-man (or woman) band, or a family business in road transport might struggle to see the relevance, and the authors aren’t suggesting you can re-invent your operation by putting everybody in charge.

But listening closely to suggestions from employees and customers alike never hurts anyone.

Some decisions do lend themselves to being more consultative – and that can apply to customers.

NatRoad has advocated

that consultation is a “must do” in times of increasing overheads and tightening margins. Businesses need to pass on increased costs to customers where contracts allow - and that starts with explaining the reasons why.

It almost goes without saying that taking a good hard critical look at what we spend our time doing and eliminating those things that aren’t productive is an essential thing in business.

But we are a regulated industry where there are rules that must be followed.

Most of them are in place

to ensure safety - and nobody is arguing with them.

A good example of getting the balance right is the recent news that the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator will update its White List application process for operators whose fleets travel through NSW and South Australia.

The White List names operators who have successfully applied for exclusion from some low risk fatigue-related National Camera Network incidents due to their good fatigue management practices, accreditation and compliance history.

It’s routinely reviewed.

The regulator has changes to its reporting requirements that it says are designed to cut red tape while not compromising safety.

Sounds like a win-win and a reminder that working smarter does not involve cutting corners.

Sometimes the war against petty red tape seems endless.

It’s only two years since there was a ban on farmers pre-applying for a permit to move livestock using a commercial carrier.

That little piece of red

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tape meant that a transport operator could face a requirement to apply for their own permit before moving the livestock - a process that could take as long as 28 days.

Too bad if fluctuating markets or unforeseen weather events changed a farmer’s plans.

The federal government changed that one with the stroke of a pen.

But the biggest issue (and it’s mostly on the enforcement side) is a mindset that a driver is deliberately out to deceive when they make a clerical error in a work diary.

Electronic work diaries actually make it harder for police to push the envelope but are regulators doing enough to overcome the trust issues that limit the uptake of this technology?

I think not.

The time is right to consider the appointment of a Red Tape Tsar with the power to report directly to national transport ministers about regulations are hindering productivity.

Make the Tsar the first port-of-call for organisations like NatRoad to name and shame unnecessary regulations that aren’t there for safety’s sake is one way to get our industry moving the way it should.

60 COLUMN

FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Regional operators are indispensable for prosperity VTA COMMENT PETER ANDERSON CEO, Victorian Transport Association

AFTER a three-year hiatus during the pandemic, the VTA was pleased to resume its popular series of regional forums, with visits conducted to Bendigo, Mildura, and Wangaratta, to meet with regional members, operators, and other industry stakeholders.

Over the years, the forums have been a valuable way to engage with regional members we aren’t able to regularly see, as well as share important industry, productivity, and safety updates to our friends in rural Victoria.

This year was no exception, with our forums delivering road and workplace safety updates through the involvement of our presenting partners Victoria Police, WorkSafe Victoria, and National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), along with

sponsor TWUSUPER. WorkSafe’s presentation had a particular focus on efforts to reduce lives lost in transport.

Over the past two years in Victoria 18 of the 25 heavy vehicle drivers lost were from the road freight sector. Injury prevention is also a major focus, with transport occupying a high number of claims alongside construction and manufacturing.

Vehicle incidents, falls from heights, and body stressing occupy the most WorkSafe claims in transport, along with mental health claims related to pressure and stress at work.

NHVR provided a comprehensive overview about how technology is helping them enforce national heavy vehicle law.

Equipment on NHVR has immense capabilities with respect to identifying defective or suspect vehicles, with mobile cameras able to provide insights into intelligence through registration scans. Situational alerts can then be sent out to officers on patrol for follow up and investigation.

Victoria Police Heavy Vehicle Unit, along with regional officers in Bendigo and Mildu-

ra, outlined key issues for them including fatigue, speed, vehicle roadworthiness, drugs and alcohol, and seatbelts. It was also sobering to hear stories of officers responding to fatalities, and the lifelong impact this can have on our first responders.

In the context of our forums, it’s worth reflecting on the pivotal role regional operators play in sustaining the Victorian economy.

In many ways, they are the lifeblood of economic vitality, facilitating the movement of goods and commodities crucial to various industries.

They link Victoria’s vast regions to one another and to national and international markets, ensuring agricultural produce, manufactured goods, and raw materials can reach their intended destinations efficiently.

With agriculture the backbone of regional Victoria, freight operators play an indispensable role in getting agricultural products to markets, here and abroad.

Whether it’s transporting grains, livestock, dairy, or fresh produce, these operators ensure that farmers can access markets and consumers can enjoy fresh,

VTA CEO Peter Anderson, second from left, was thrilled to be able to resume the popular series of regional forums, with visits conducted to Bendigo, Mildura, and Wangaratta.

local produce.

Regional Victoria also hosts a significant manufacturing sector, which relies heavily on efficient transportation of raw materials, components, and finished products.

Freight operators provide the necessary logistics infrastructure to support manufacturing operations, helping industries remain competitive and viable.

Tourism is a major contributor to Victoria’s economy, and freight operators facilitate this by ensuring that tourist destinations are well-supplied.

From food and beverages to equipment and construction materials for tourism infrastructure, these operators enable the smooth functioning of the tourism industry.

Our industry generates jobs and economic growth in

regional Victoria. It provides employment opportunities for drivers, logistics professionals, maintenance workers, and administrative staff. Moreover, the industry’s growth fuels demand for related services, contributing to overall economic expansion.

Efficient supply chains are crucial for businesses to remain competitive.

Regional freight operators play a pivotal role in optimising supply chains by ensuring timely and cost-effective movement of goods. This efficiency translates into cost savings for businesses and consumers.

This year’s forums have been a terrific way to engage with members and hear of their issues and concerns, many of which reflect those of metropolitan areas.

Regional businesses are being impacted just as hard by labour shortages, cost increases and infrastructure concerns.

Visiting our members in their own backyards has been a powerful and instructive experience and they can rest assured we have their interests at heart as we advocate for better outcomes for freight operators.

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COLUMN 61

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023

Flying the flag for women in transport around Australia

WOMEN IN TRANSPORT JACQUELENE BROTHERTON Chair of Transport Women Australia

EARLY in September I participated in the Future Warehouse & Logistics 2023 Conference in Sydney.

On day one I took part in a panel discussion entitled “Building a Business Model that Executes Same Day Delivery to Keep up with Growing Consumer Demands” with Karanjit Chandhoke of Australia Post and Craig Dunlop of PharmaCare Laboratories for a very interesting discussion about online sales, same day delivery and the impact of the ongoing and growing demand on workers among other issues.

On day two I chaired the conference for the day. It was a great opportunity for Transport Women Australia Limited (TWAL) to network and introduce the organisation to a new audience and as always, a great learning experience.

As TWAL is a member of the National Rural Women’s Coalition, I sit on their board and as such I joined a roundtable in Canberra on How to Achieve Gender Equality for Rural Regional and Remote Women.

The day had some wonderful speakers, and it was a very informative day with some good outcomes for TWAL with great networking opportunities.

The roundtable was followed by the 2023 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Awards and Gala Dinner at Parliament House, which gave me more time to spend with my fellow NRWC board members and colleagues.

The awards showcased the amazing women we have in rural, regional and remote Australia who are doing wonderful things and creating great opportunities for themselves and their families.

During the month we also had the graduation of seven drivers from the Women Driving Transport Careers initiative, which was wonderful to have seven new young women joining our industry

THE DAY HAD SOME WONDERFUL SPEAKERS AND IT WAS A VERY INFORMATIVE DAY WITH SOME GOOD OUTCOMES.” JACQUELENE BROTHERTON

as drivers. I was so excited to meet them last month and in being able to provide them with their welcome packs and membership this month.

I was back in Canberra again for the TWAL breakfast on September 27. We had a wonderful speaker in Angela Byron, a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, who spoke about decarbonisation and her passion for rural women and trucks.

We invited Rachel Smith, the new executive director of the Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association to give an impromptu update on what their national organisation is doing; and as a life member of the Livestock, Bulk and Rural Carriers Association, it is always won-

derful to have my livestock colleagues in the room.

Our wonderful supporters, Southern Truck Centre, sponsored the breakfast and brought a large team as well as representatives from our foundation business partner, Volvo.

To kick off October I will be presenting a keynote speech at the Vic Major Projects Conference in Melbourne and then in November, presenting at the 23rd World Congress Safety and Health at Work in Sydney.

Do not forget to get your applications in the Driving the Difference Scholarships as applications close on October 31. Late applications will not be accepted and there will be no extensions. You must be a TWAL member or the employee of a corporate member to apply. For application forms and criteria, please contact chair@transportwomen. com.au Book your tickets for the EOY functions for Wollongong, Brisbane, Sydney, Perth Melbourne, and Dubbo.

Bookings are available now from trybooking.

We had a wonderful speaker in Angela Byron, a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, at our Canberra breakfast event.

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FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Why CoR is not working EXPERT ADVICE RYAN HOWISON Managing Director, DSE Transport

AUSTRALIA’S transport industry is one of the most dangerous sectors in the country, with an alarming number of accidents and fatalities on the road each year.

An NHVR study from 2015 to 2019 reported that there were 2,420 truck crashes reported over the period.

To address these risks and establish accountability, the Chain of Responsibility (CoR) laws were enacted in 2014 with the aim of preventing truck drivers from bearing the sole burden of safety breaches.

However, despite these intentions, the CoR system has frequently proven to be a confusing and ineffective mess.

CoR: Good intentions for a dangerous industry

Australia’s transport industry is notorious for its high rate of accidents and fatalities. From truck crashes on the highways to unsafe loading practices at warehouses, there are numerous risks involved in the logistics and transportation sector.

The introduction of CoR aimed to address these issues by holding multiple parties in the supply chain accountable for safety, rather than pinning blame solely on the driver.

This includes everybody from the directors of transport companies to consignees. An admirable intent, yet good intentions do not guarantee success.

A confusing mess that nobody understands (or cares about)

One of the primary issues plaguing the CoR system is its complexity.

Many consignees and par-

Many consignees and parties in the supply chain do not fully understand their obligations under CoR laws.

TO ADDRESS THE SHORTCOMINGS OF THE COR SYSTEM, COMPANIES NEED TO TAKE PROACTIVE MEASURES TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE AND PRIORITISE SAFETY THROUGHOUT THEIR SUPPLY CHAIN.“ RYAN HOWISON

ties in the supply chain do not fully understand their obligations under CoR laws, which are extremely legalistic. One workplace trainer and health and safety advisor recently told me: I’ve worked in the transport industry for 40+ years. I’m yet to meet a PCBU, manager, supervisor, who understands CoR enough, to cite their own responsibilities.

This lack of clarity often results in a reactive rather than proactive approach to safety.

Companies may only implement significant structural changes and safety measures after a safety incident has already occurred, leaving room for preventable accidents to occur.

The “it won’t happen to us” mindset prevails until disaster strikes. This reactive approach is detrimental not only to safety but also to the overall efficiency and reliability of the supply chain.

Due diligence is a pipe dream (especially for consignees)

Business owners are busy people – and, as a result, they underestimate the importance of due diligence when it comes to CoR compliance.

I have heard many times consignees having a mentality that they can simply outsource the responsibility to others.

Businesspeople – especially the directors of companies that order freight – may assume that merely signing contracts absolves them of responsibility, neglecting the critical role of ongoing monitoring and risk assessment.

This oversight can have severe consequences, not just in terms of safety but also in terms of legal liabilities and reputation damage.

rely solely on contracts and agreements to meet CoR obligations. Instead, they should proactively assess their supply chain, identify potential risks and implement measures to mitigate them.

This includes regular audits, monitoring driver behavior and ensuring that all parties involved understand their responsibilities.

How companies can actively ensure compliance with CoR

Implement a genuine safety culture Safety should be a core value within an organisation’s culture.

It’s not enough to have safety policies on paper.

They must be ingrained in the company’s DNA. Encourage employees at all levels to prioritise safety, provide training, and create an environment where reporting safety concerns is not only welcomed but actively encouraged.

To address the shortcomings of the CoR system, companies need to take proactive measures to ensure compliance and prioritise safety throughout their supply chain.

Here are three essential steps they can take: Take an active effort in monitoring your supply chain Companies should not

Engage a transport provider with a safety focus When choosing transport providers, cost should not be the sole determining factor.

Instead, companies should prioritise safety-focused providers who have a track record of compliance and safety measures in place and programs to retain the safest drivers.

Cutting costs on transportation may save money in the short term, but it can lead to significant risks and liabilities in the long run.

How can you tell if a transport provider has a safety focus?

It usually involves an intense scrutinisation process – and making sure that the people transporting your freight have invested time and money into: 1. Ensuring their vehicles are in tip-top condition.

2. Ensuring their drivers are expertly trained.

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64 PUZZLES

Sad day for all in transport

FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

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SUDOKU

positives aspects or those issues about which I am most 9 passionate and have a chance of making a contribution to 10 change.

I began writing column when I was returned as Trans11 12 port Women Australia Limited 13 chair in 14November 2017.

15 THIS article is the ending of In the interim, TWAL has an era for the transport indus- had many successes and try with the demise of this achievements. magazine the restrucIt has expanded the rela16 17 under 18 ture and rationalisation of tionship with Girl Guides AusNews Corp. tralia 19 and been involved with 20 21 It is a sad day for all of us in several successful projects with the industry as Big Rigs maga22 23 them, the Victorian Snoozefest zine has been a part of our lives in April 2018, the “Great Bag for almost 30 years.

Migration” for the Interna24 For some, their entire ca- tional Jamboree in Sydney in reers so far.

October 2018 and other inter25 It will leave huge gap as the actions that are expanding the editors and staff have support- knowledge of the transport ined the industry, provided fair dustry.26 and rational debate and given We launched the Women everyone a fair say in industry Driving Transport Careers indoings to all, as well as stories, itiative with our partners Wopictures and news of our peo- donga TAFE and Volvo Group ple, our trucks and our unsung EASY at the 2018 TWAL Creating heroes.

Connections conference.

Our lives will be the poorer This initiative has been in for its demise; being a colum- hiatus during the COVID-19 nist for Big Rigs for the past pandemic but all partners are year and half has allowed me excited to move forward to exto fulfil yet another childhood pand the program as soon as dream, to write, and it has possible. given me great pleasure and I We held a well attended hope it has at least been en- and exciting conference in joyed by some.

May 2018 and we have plans in While so many are focused place with the date saved and on the negatives of the indus- venue booked for our Driving try, I have tried to focus on the the Difference 2021 conference

2 3 4 5 6 7 12 14

11 13 16 19 22 24 25 26

What is a scarf worn round the neck (6) Which naval officers are of the highest rank (8) Name something fired at, or aimed at (6) What are sudden divergences from some courses to others (8) What is the base unit of electric current (6) Which term implies the most distant (8) Which bombshells are thrown by hand (8) To steal, is to do what (6) Which high explosive consists of a nitroglycerine mixture (8) To be wantonly irreverent, is to be what (6) Which string fastens a boot (8) What is a British colloquial term for bread (6)

15 17 18 20 21 23

Name another term for a kingdom (5) To not be explicit, is to be what (5) To be ragged, is to be what (8) Which word is used after a prayer (4) To be passionate, is to be what (6) What are dishes from which food is eaten (6) Name the head of the Roman Catholic Church (4) To have become an adept in something, is to have done what to it (8) What is the official Gaelic name of the Republic of Ireland (4) What is measured movement, as in dancing (6) To be closer, is to be what (6) To fix firmly, is to do what (5) What is estimated worth (5) Baghdad is the capital of which Asian republic (4)

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

2

Down

1 8 9 10

C R A V A T A A P E A A D M I R A L S E D A T A R G E T L U T A N G E N T S N E A M P E R E O R E M O T E S T P E A I G R E N A D E S R H E T H I E V E M A D Y N A M I T E T R R R I B A L D E U S H O E L A C E M R Q D O D G E R

1

Across

Across: Across: 1 Cravat, 8 Admirals, 9 Target, 10 Tangents, 11 Ampere, 13 Remotest, 16 Grenades, 19 Thieve, 22 Dynamite, 24 Ribald, 25 Shoelace, 26 Dodger.

Down: 2 Realm, 3 Vague, 4 Tattered, 5 Amen, 6 Ardent, 7 Plates, 12 Pope, 14 Mastered, 15 Eire, 17 Rhythm, 18 Nearer, 20 Imbed, 21 Value, 23 Iraq.

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

CELEBRATING ACHIEVEMENTS: Jacquelene Brotherton (far right) enjoys a night of celebration at a Transport Women Limited event with (from left) Rachel Hesse, Paul Fleiszig and Coralie Chapman.

Picture: Contributed

in Melbourne.

1 2 In November 2019 we celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the organisation (TWAL) with a fabulous gala dinner at 8 The Windsor Melbourne where we also presented our first four winners 10 of the Driving the Difference scholarships with our amazing sponsor, Daimler Truck and Bus Asia Pacific.12 We also presented the inaugural Trish Pickering Mem-

orial 3 Award, sponsored by the 4 wonderful Wes Pickering.

This was awarded for longterm outstanding contribution 9 by a female to the road transport industry, the inaugural winner was Pam McMillan the longest serving director 11 and chair of Transport Women Australia Limited.

This is an 13annual award and the recipient of the 2020 Trish Pickering Memorial Award

14

will 5 be announced later 6 7 this year at an event still to be determined.

We have also launched our Learning Initiatives Breakfast Series with several partners so far, including NTI, MOVE BANK and rt health.

In early 2020 the Creating Connections Mentoring program was finally ready to commence with both mentors and mentees signing up to the pro-

15

16

Across gram.

1 I would Encounter like to thank the 4 Factsteam givenat Big Rigs fantastic 8 By way newspaper foroftheir incredible 9 Augury support and wish them ongoing success.

10 Rank that mount I get the oppor11I hope Spirited tunity to continue to work with 12 Nidus some of themdeer and so work to14 Female wards making the trucking in15 Stain dustry a better appreciated, 17 aFlow and saferback place for our peo19 Fish trap ple.

21 Dry 23 Light beer 26 Silent 27 Dash 28 Be victorious 29 Look after reminder to all Big 30A final Dexterous

Fighting to end the inequality: Big Rigs19 and TWU played their parts 20 17 18 HARD

HARD

losing their contracts and the ability to support their 21 22 families.

It appears the government does not care.

25 26 There are unsafe vehicles, dodgy licences, poor payment times, wage and superannuation theft – just a few of the 28 many things we have called for to be stopped.

A reminder to governments 30 and the transport industry clients: the industry that has kept Australia moving during the pandemic is facing an uphill battle. industry as dry as they can.

Employer groups should be They want operators to meet their unrealistic dead- standing alongside transport lines and take on more freight workers to unite for a safer and for less or they face the risk of fairer industry.

MOORE TRAILERS

PITTSWORTH PHONE (07) 4693 1088 Fax (07) 4693 1545 email: sales@mooretrailers.com.au www.mooretrailers.com.au V1 - IBRE01Z01MA

QUICK CROSSWORD

M E E T D A T A O V I A O M E N S T E E D T I E R N E S T N I V D O E D Y E N E T X E B B E A R I D P M U T E L A G E R W I N R E L A N T E N D D E F T

EASY

policy that should be keeping safe one of the most dangerous industries in Australia.

To quote one truck driver turned Australian senator, 23 “a death 24 at work Glenn Sterle, or on the road should not be the price of doing business”.

The TWU 27 puts it to governments that we must stop the inequality that exists between truck drivers and clients.

29must be paid proper Drivers rates, owner-drivers must be able to trust they will be paid properly for the work they do and on time. Families depend on this.

Many of the ongoing problems that occur are down to the big clients squeezing our

Across: 1 Meet, 4 Data, 8 Via, 9 Omen, 10 Tier, 11 Steed, 12 Nest, 14 Doe, 15 Dye, 17 Ebb, 19 Net, 21 Arid, 23 Lager, 26 Mute, 27 Elan, 28 Win, 29 Tend, 30 Deft.

Down: 1 Motive, 2 Even, 3 Tired, 4 Dot, 5 Amend, 6 Tee, 7 And, 11 Steer, 13 Sonar, 16 Expert, 18 Began, 20 Timid, 22 Dune, 23 Let, 24 Ale, 25 End.

THIS is the end of an era, the last TWU column in the trusted transport industry publication Big Rigs.

Over the years the TWU and Big Rigs have played their parts in the role of keeping the top end of town accountable and doing our bit to look out for the rights of the little guy.

It’s still about the voice that speaks out for the truck driver,

the owner and the employee.

It’s been the voice that calls out for fair pay for the work you do, for safety in the drivers’ cab and on the road, the voice that seeks to relieve the pressure on the driver pushed by clients’ incessant cries for increased productivity for the same rates and conditions.

It is obvious we still have a long way to go – we have been through countless road, freight and transport ministers and nothing changes.

Truck drivers are still dying at work.

It’s a pretty safe bet to say this is due to the lack of strong government policy in place,

Rigs readers: now is the time to unite, now is the time to ensure Down in this industry. equality 1 Together Incentive we can stand on 2 Levelground working to common 3 Weary ensure the government continues support transport work4 toSmall spot ers the industry they 5 and Correct support.

6 Golfing aid TWU will continue to 7 The Also voice the needs of transport 11 Direst a course workers to the employers, 13 Echo sounder their industry bodies and the 16 Specialist clients.

18Better Commenced standards mean job 20 Shyand ultimately a safer security 22 fairer Low industry sand hillfor all. and can lift the standards we 23WePermit need together – our lives de24 Drink pend it.

25 on Finish

More Trailer For Your Money

CAREERS AND TRAINING 65

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023

Industry pathway for students

BY KAYLA WALSH

HIGH school students from the Southern Downs region in Queensland recently got a glimpse into the world of freight transport with Wickham Freight Lines.

Jeff Miller, national logistics manager at Wickham’s, said their work experience program is a great way for teens to figure out if they might like to pursue a career in the industry.

“We’ve been running this scheme for the last few years, we do a lot of school visits in

the local area and we’ve had a very good response,” he said.

“Students will come in to us for a week, they will get a taste of what we do here, they see the nuts and bolts of the industry.

“They can see first-hand whether this is something they want to align their future with, or if they want to try something else.

“Then if they’re interested, they can come back and we can make some more time for them.”

In September, the team welcomed three high school

Andrew wants to become a qualified heavy vehicle diesel mechanic.

students – Andrew McIlroy, Archer Barrett, and Tameka Carvoth.

“Andrew and Archer both worked in our workshop, where they learned about oil changes, how to put on bumper bars and the importance of regular maintenance of our trucks.

“Archer said that he really enjoyed the experience and learning new mechanical things.

“Andrew said that he was happy to have been able to have this experience and everyone in the team was nice and friendly.”

Both Archer and Andrew want to become qualified heavy vehicle diesel mechanics and are in the running to secure an apprenticeship with Wickham’s.

Meanwhile, Tameka has already been offered a position with Wickham’s, working on weekends and school holidays to continue learning about transport and logistics and follow her dream of becoming a truck driver.

“Tameka has been a ‘Jill of all trades’. She experienced a few areas within the business, from a day in our spare parts department, driving our tugs,

Tameka has already been offered a position with Wickham’s, working on weekends and school holidays.

to spending a day in the truck with one of our truck drivers, Tammy, to see what it would be like to be on the road as a truck driver.

“She’s already signed on with us and she works when suits her and her parents, we are flexible and make sure the work doesn’t affect their studies. She’s great and really enthusiastic.”

Tameka said: “The Wickham’s team have been great and very encouraging, showing me the different aspects of the operations. The workplace also has a great atmosphere, but my highlight of the week was being able to hook on a road train and having the opportunity to drive it around the yard!”

When asked whether he agreed that it’s a struggle to get young people into the transport industry and keep them there, Miller said that remains to be seen.

“I will say that we have several operators here in their 30s, who started with us when they were teenagers and already have 15 years of service under their belts.

“They started on the wash bay, washing the trailers on the weekend after school. Then they graduated to driving the tugs, got their open licences, B licences. They’ve been trained the right way, they know they can stay in the job and they’re very confident.

“Freight transport is an industry that the country needs, we can’t do without it. It’s important for kids to develop a work ethic, because I think work ethic is something that our country lacks. I might upset people by saying that, but it’s true.

“I would like to see other transport companies taking on the same work experience initiative that we do, to try to develop the industry and encourage more young people to come on board.”

If anyone is interested in work experience or apprenticeships with Wickham’s, they should contact the company on 07 4661 8922.

HC and MC Driver Opportunities TOMAGO The Role Our Toll Mining Business unit currently have numerous vacancies and are currently recruiting for permanent MC Drivers or HC Drivers willing to upgrade to their MC Licence. Average OTE is $150K per annum. These local positions are available at the following sites - Kurri Kurri, Tomago or Liddell.

Benefits: • Permanent position with an industry leader • Roster pattern that promotes work / life balance • Above award payrates + 15% superannuation • Well maintained equipment with work shop onsite • Support for DG Licensing and UHL provided • All training provided with site Driver Trainer based onsite • 5 weeks A/L (for Shift workers only) Skills & Experience • Minimum of HC license but MC preferred • Roadranger Gearbox Experience- essential

• Current Dangerous Goods Licence - preferred but not essential • Unsupervised Handling Licence (UHL) or be willing to obtain • Basic Fatigue Management- desirable • A dedication to safety proven through your clean driving record • A reliable and professional work ethic • Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) with the ability to accurately complete paperwork and liaise with stakeholders Working at Toll At Toll, we’re proud to be a leading integrated logistics provider in the Asia Pacific region. And we know our success is due to the quality and skill of our talented people - quite simply, our people are our most valuable asset. We work hard to create a workplace that supports our people’s careers and that is a safe, respectful and inclusive place to work.

• • •

$150K average OTE Variety of rosters Permanent

If you’re interested in this role, please call Lindsee, Amy or Peta at Toll People on 02 4037 1500 or email gos.peoplenewcastle@tollgroup.com.

Toll embraces and celebrates a variety of cultures. We continue to build a business that reflects the values of equality, built on the knowledge and understanding that everyone is welcome including the First Nations Peoples, and those of all ages, genders, and abilities.

Women are actively encouraged to apply.

All applicants must be entitled to work in Australia and be prepared to undergo a criminal history check, pre-employment medical and/ or drug & alcohol testing as required.

66 CAREERS AND TRAINING

FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Safety advocate wins the major award on Gold Coast

PASSIONATE safety advocate Carol Single is the recipient of this year’s Ted Pickering Award for an Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Road Transport Industry.

The co-owner of Single Transport from Mackay in Queensland received her award at the National Road Transport Association’s (NatRoad) annual conference gala dinner at RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast on September 29.

Carol works tirelessly with the Mackay Road Accident Action group, a volunteer non-profit association committed to tackling road safety issues in Mackay and the Bowen Basin.

She is a previous recipient of the National Trucking Industry Women of the Year award.

“Carol represents the best that our industry has to offer – someone who is deeply involved in their own business but who finds time to be a champion for safer roads,” said NatRoad chair Paul Fellows.

“Road freight arteries like the Peak Downs Highway are the lifeblood to the Mackay

[L-R] Daryl Pickering, Paul Fellows, Kent Single, Carol Single and Luke Single.

Region and the Bowen Basin, with thousands of vehicles using it daily.

“Fuel trucks alone are using it to move approximately six million litres of bulk fuel each day.

“Much of Carol’s work is behind the scenes but she has made a life-saving difference for her peers – and indeed all road-users – on those long stretches of North Queensland highway.”

Carol and husband Ian operate a business with five specialised crane trucks and servicing most of Central Queensland.

Their company, Single Transport Services Limited, has been a fixture in Mackay since 1980.

In 1997, Single Transport Services was accredited with Trucksafe, the national business and risk management system that improves the safety and professionalism of trucking operators nationwide. Carol is

Easter Group Pty Ltd 73 Formation St, Wacol Easter Group, located in Wacol, provides time sensitive road transporting solutions to many companies throughout Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria. .

We are a family owned business, operating since 1976.

We currently have the following positions available:

OPERATIONS ALLOCATORS

Dennis Harding was named NatRoad’s Professional Driver of the Year.

a life member of the Mackay Road Accident Action group.

Dennis Harding was named NatRoad’s Professional Driver of the Year.

Harding is a long-standing employee of JSC Concreting and was nominated for his devotion to safety, integrity and performance on the job.

“Dennis is a company man who puts in long hours despite juggling commitments with a young family,” Fellows said.

Stephanie Arpasi of Dubbo firm Fardell’s Heavy Haulage was named the National Road Transport Association Youth Employee of the Year.

A 22-year-old driver-operator, Arpasi has made a huge impact on colleagues in a short period of time.

Established in 2014, Fardell’s Heavy Haulage provides heavy haulage, general and bulk freight services, wet and dry plant hire and earthmoving

solutions for the New South Wales Central West.

Colleagues say that Aparsi’s skills in safely securing heavy equipment for long haulage is meticulous and she applies the same approach to driving.

Paul Fellows said Arpasi was an outstanding example to other young women in a profession dominated by men.

For more on Arpasi – and what the honour means to her – see our profile story on the opposite page.

Shane Pendergast of Air Brake Systems in Hornsby, NSW was named winner of the National Road Transport Association Excellence in Operational Support Award for his years of making trucking a safer industry.

Hundreds of truck drivers and many more mechanics have attended workshops conducted over the past seven years

by Shane, who is a specialist in electronic braking systems.

As NSW service manager for Air Brake Systems, he has an industry-wide reputation for professionalism and a passion for making sure customers have fully functioning and fault-free braking systems.

NEED STAFF?

(Brisbane based only)

You will be required to work on a rotating roster including Days-Nights-Weekends Previous Operations experience preferred.

MC LOCAL, LINEHAUL & 2-UP DRIVERS WANTED

(Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide Based) Come and work for us as we are committed to: • Training and further education • Your safety • Maintaining an impressive Fleet

Advertise your available positions with THE TRUSTED VOICE OF THE TRANSPORT INDUSTRY Reach potential employees through NATIONALLY DISTRIBUTED PRINT, ONLINE and SOCIAL MEDIA

On offer are permanent full time and roster positions including paid leave entitlements and public holidays. Drivers will need to be available to be scheduled for work falling across the 7 days of the week.

The successful Applicant will: • Hold a current MC licence (minimum two years) • Have knowledge of the HVNL and Load Restraint • Be professional • Be reliable

To apply for the Operations/Driver positions please contact Operations Manager or by emailing your resume to

WORKSHOP MECHANICS & TYRE FITTERS WANTED (Brisbane based only)

To apply for Mechanic positions please forward your resume to Workshop Manager via email to employment@kseaster.com.au

TREENA HEIT 0421 330 031 treena.heit@primecreative.com.au

DON’T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY

CAREERS AND TRAINING 67

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY OCTOBER 13 2023

Young truck driver wins big at the NatRoad awards

BY KAYLA WALSH

A 22-YEAR-OLD truck driver who was recently named NatRoad’s Youth Employee of the Year has urged other young women to consider a career in the trucking industry.

Stephanie Arpasi, who works for Dubbo firm Fardell’s Heavy Haulage, was presented with the award on

September 29 as part of NatRoad’s 2023 annual conference, held at the RACV Royal Pines Resort on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

Arpasi said she was delighted with the win and hopes it will encourage more diversity in a largely male-dominated industry.

“Winning this award means a lot to me and my employers,” she said.

Stephanie Arpasi with her Kenworth T659.

“The fact that people can see me out there as a young woman in the industry, and it’s not just men, I think that’s definitely a good thing.”

Arpasi has worked for Fardell’s for the past two years and has made a huge impact on her colleagues in that time.

NatRoad chair Paul Fellows described her as a young driver doing a challenging job, who won’t let anything stand in her way to get the work done safely.

“Her professionalism, exceptional driving skills, her personality and dedication to the industry has earned her this award,” he continued.

Arpasi, who started her career operating machinery in the mines, said she has always been interested in truck driving.

“I absolutely hated school, I am more practical minded for sure!” she said.

“Growing up, I was definitely what they call a ‘tomboy’ and I always loved trucks, but I never thought I’d actually get to drive them for a living.

“It’s a great industry to be in. I love travelling around

seeing different places all the time, and working with different loads. No two days are the same.”

She said the biggest challenge in her role is securing loads when she’s by herself.

“We do a lot of machine moves and you have got to work out how to operate the machine to get the load on. It can be tricky, especially when you don’t operate those machines regularly!

“You’ve got to figure out where the weight sits on your truck and trailer. There’s quite a lot to it, but my attitude has always been ‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way!’”

Arpasi is currently the only female truck driver working for Fardell’s, but says she’s not intimidated by being surrounded by men.

“People say ‘You must cop a lot of s*** from the boys at work,’ but it’s fine! They give it to me and I give it right back to them,” she laughed.

She currently drives a Kenworth T659 and pulls anything from a flat top trailer through to a 4x8 and road trains, but her ultimate goal is to drive the “big stuff ”.

[L-R] Bert Webster, Stephanie Arpasi and Warren Clark at the awards on the Gold Coast.

“I want to be operating a 10-line, 12-line platform,” she added.

Sharing her advice for other young women who are interested in getting into the

transport industry, she said: “Just get out there and do it!

Don’t worry about what people will think. If it’s what you want to do, don’t let anyone stop you.”

HEAVY VEHICLE DRIVER/OPERATOR POSITIONS AVAILABLE Due to company expansion, we have multiple positions available providing heavy vehicle support to CSG field operations in South West QLD. About the position: • Semi, road train and truck & dog combinations • Water and vac tanker operations e.g., dust suppression/road watering, transporting drilling fluids, water etc • Specialised landspray operations • Managing fluid transfer operations on the lease • On the job training provided • 12-hour shifts • Roster is either 2/2 or 2/1 weeks (depending on the operation) • Meals and accom provided • This role can be labour intense which requires applicants to be physically fit and have a sound knowledge of positive manual handling techniques • Sign-on incentive/bonus (conditions apply) • Above award wages, with the potential to earn up to $52/hr plus super Requirements of the positions: • Heavy vehicle licence required • Min 2 years (recent) heavy vehicle driving experience • Competently drive an 18-speed road ranger transmission • Mandatory medical assessment and traffic history checks • Commitment to health, safety and environmental practices and standards • Knowledge and understanding of heavy vehicle maintenance

Please direct all applications and enquiries to: careers@coho-resources.com Craig Davis: 0455 538 253

DEALERSHIP